Norway Crown Princess’s Son Sentenced to 4 Years for Rape, June 16

An Oslo court sentenced Marius Borg Høiby, 29, to four years in prison on June 15 after finding him guilty of two counts of rape and 32 other offences. Høiby, son of Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit, was accused of 40 charges ranging from rape to traffic violations. The verdict marks a significant moment for Norway’s justice system, showing that royal connections do not exempt someone from prosecution.

What the Court Found

Høiby was convicted of two rape counts, serious bodily harm, domestic abuse, physical assault, threats, six counts of sexually offensive behaviour, and three counts of violating a restraining order. He was acquitted of two other rape charges and two restraining order violations. The prosecution had sought a sentence of seven years and seven months. Judge Jon Sverdrup Efjestad cited video evidence showing one victim with closed eyes, lying motionless and showing no reaction to touch, stating she was unaware of what happened when shown recordings during interrogation.

The Victims and Evidence

Four women accused Høiby of rape between 2018 and 2024. One assault occurred at the crown prince and princess’s official residence in 2018. The prosecution alleged all victims were asleep or heavily incapacitated during the attacks. One rape victim in the courtroom collapsed in tears when the judge announced her case’s guilty verdict. Høiby had denied the most serious allegations while admitting to some lesser offences.

Defence and Appeal

Høiby, held in custody since February, attended the verdict hearing by video link from Ila prison, which his defence attributed to health reasons. His lawyers called for an 18-month sentence for the charges he admitted. After the verdict, his legal team announced they would appeal the two rape convictions and the domestic abuse finding. Prosecutor Sturla Henriksbo stated the verdict demonstrated that no one is beyond the law, regardless of family connections.

Impact on the Monarchy

The trial, held from February 3 to March 19, exposed a lifestyle of excess and has damaged Norway’s royal family’s reputation. Høiby is not formally part of the royal household and has no steady job. The case comes after Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s connection to Jeffrey Epstein was revealed, further straining public confidence in the monarchy.

Final Thoughts

Høiby’s four-year sentence signals that Norway’s courts treat royal defendants like any other citizen. His appeal will likely extend the case, but the conviction stands as a watershed moment for accountability within the monarchy.

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