Marius Borg Hoiby, the eldest son of Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit, received a four-year prison sentence for multiple crimes. He was convicted on two counts of rape and 32 other offenses, including assault and abuse in close relationships.
The 29-year-old faced charges involving the sexual assault of four women between 2018 and 2024. He was charged with 40 criminal offenses in total, which encompassed lesser charges like assault, drug-related crimes, and violating a restraining order. Although Hoiby denied the rape accusations, he admitted to several minor offenses.
The Oslo District Court’s decision followed prosecutors’ recommendations for a seven-year and seven-month sentence. Defense attorneys pleaded for acquittal of the rape charges and suggested a maximum of 18 months for offenses Hoiby acknowledged. The conviction is not yet final, as Hoiby plans to appeal. “It is only natural to consider appealing the serious charges for which he was convicted and which he did not admit,” said his defense lawyer, Ellen Holager Andenaes.
Prosecutor Sturla Henriksbo deemed the verdict a triumph for justice. “It signifies that no one is above the law, regardless of their identity or connections,” he stated.
Due to health reasons, Hoiby was absent from court and instead observed the verdict via video link from prison. The six-week trial ended in March after evidence, including messages, images, and videos from Hoiby’s phone, was presented along with testimony from multiple accusers.
This case attracted significant attention internationally due to Hoiby’s royal connections. He is the son of Mette-Marit, the crown princess, before her marriage to Norway’s Crown Prince Haakon. Although raised within the royal household, Hoiby lacks an official public role or title unlike his step-siblings.
Amid the legal battles, Princess Mette-Marit dealt with health challenges, as she suffers from pulmonary fibrosis awaiting a lung transplant. Legal debates revolved around his possible temporary release before the verdict. Appeals courts decided against it, keeping him incarcerated during the proceedings.
The trial coincided with scrutiny of the royal family’s history, notably regarding Princess Mette-Marit’s past association with Jeffrey Epstein, a late sex offender. She publicly expressed regret for her lack of judgment but faces no accusations.