A court in Oslo has sentenced Marius Borg Høiby, the son of Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit, to four years behind bars after finding him guilty on two rape charges. The ruling was delivered on Monday following a closely watched trial that attracted widespread public attention across Norway.
Høiby, 29, has consistently denied the rape allegations and retains the right to challenge the verdict through the appeals process.
Who Is Marius Borg Høiby?
Marius Borg Høiby is the son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit from a relationship prior to her marriage to Crown Prince Haakon, heir to the Norwegian throne. Although he is connected to the royal family, Høiby does not hold a royal title or perform official royal duties.
The case has drawn significant media coverage due to his connection to Norway’s royal household and the serious nature of the allegations.
Multiple Charges Brought Before the Court
Prosecutors accused Høiby of a total of 40 criminal offenses, which together carried a maximum potential prison sentence of 16 years.
Among the most serious allegations were rape accusations involving four different women between 2018 and 2024. According to prosecutors, the incidents allegedly occurred when the women were asleep or otherwise unable to resist.
The court ultimately convicted Høiby on two rape counts while acquitting him of two other rape allegations.
Additional Convictions Included
In addition to the rape convictions, the court also found Høiby guilty of several other offenses.
These included:
- Domestic violence against a former girlfriend
- Making threats
- Traffic-related violations
The combined convictions contributed to the four-year prison sentence handed down by the Oslo court.
Prosecutors and Defense Sought Different Outcomes
During the proceedings, prosecutors requested a prison sentence of seven years and seven months.
Defense attorneys argued that Høiby should be cleared of the rape allegations and maintained that any punishment should not exceed 18 months for offenses he had previously acknowledged.
The court ultimately delivered a sentence that fell between the positions argued by the prosecution and defense.
Trial Lasted Seven Weeks
The case unfolded over a seven-week trial that remained a major topic of discussion throughout Norway.
Evidence presented in court reportedly included details about Høiby’s struggles with drug addiction, self-recorded videos of sexual encounters, and more than 800 messages that were reviewed as part of the proceedings.
One of the alleged rape incidents was said to have occurred in the basement of the Crown Prince’s residence, according to testimony heard during the trial.
Appeal Remains Possible
Because Høiby pleaded not guilty to the rape charges, legal proceedings may continue if he chooses to appeal the verdict.
The case represents one of the most prominent criminal trials involving a person closely connected to Norway’s royal family in recent years and has generated extensive public and media scrutiny.
For now, the Oslo court’s ruling stands, with Høiby facing a four-year prison term following convictions on rape and several additional offenses.