Conviction and Sentencing

Marius Borg Høiby, the 29-year-old son of Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit, was sentenced to four years in prison by a court in Oslo. He was convicted of two counts of rape involving incidents with separate women at Skaugum, an official royal estate near Oslo in 2018, and in Oslo in 2024.

Additionally, Høiby faced a total of 40 charges and was found guilty of 34 offenses. These offenses included assaulting his former girlfriend, Norwegian influencer Nora Haukland, as well as abuse in close relationships.

Acquittal and Appeal

Though convicted of several charges, Høiby was acquitted of two rape counts related to incidents at a hotel in Oslo and in Norway’s northern Lofoten islands. He pleaded not guilty to the most serious charges while admitting to some lesser ones. After a six-week trial concluding in March, his defense attorneys announced plans to appeal the verdict.

Background and Family Dynamics

Høiby is not an official working royal but has maintained connections to the monarchy. Crown Princess Mette-Marit married Crown Prince Haakon when Høiby was four years old. Haakon described him as “an important member” of the family. Høiby is Mette-Marit’s eldest son; the couple shares two younger children.

Historian Ole-Jørgen Schulerud-Hansen noted Høiby’s changing public perception over time, from being a popular figure as “little Marius” to a more ambiguous role in the royal family.

Royal Family Challenges

Earlier this year, Crown Princess Mette-Marit faced scrutiny after being mentioned in documents related to Jeffrey Epstein. She publicly apologized for her contact with him following his 2008 conviction, despite no accusations against her. Recently, due to chronic lung disease, she was placed on a lung transplant list, resulting in reduced public engagements.

Despite her health and son’s trial, appeals courts denied releasing Høiby from custody to visit his mother. Public support for the royal family dropped to a record low of 60% during Høiby’s trial, slightly recovering later. The royal court withheld comments on the trial’s outcome.

Legal System and Justice

Prosecutor Sturla Henriksboe regarded the judgment as a “victory for our justice system,” emphasizing accountability for serious criminal acts irrespective of one’s status or relations.