Photo by Nigel Waldron/WireImage
Royal privilege can’t save him now.
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Marius Borg Høiby, the 28-year-old son of Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit, has been formally charged with 32 criminal offenses after a lengthy police investigation. The charges, announced on Monday by Norwegian prosecutors, include four counts of rape and multiple acts of violence and assault against several victims.
The case has been building since August 2024, when Høiby was first arrested on suspicion of assaulting his girlfriend. Police found evidence of the alleged crimes through text messages, witness statements, and searches of digital material. Høiby previously admitted to causing bodily harm to a woman while under the influence of cocaine and alcohol, expressing regret for his actions at the time.
According to Reuters, State Attorney Sturla Henriksbø announced that Høiby faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted on the most serious charges. The prosecutor described the case as involving “very serious acts that can leave lasting scars and destroy lives.” He emphasized that Høiby’s royal family connections would not influence how justice is applied, stating that being a member of the royal family should not mean he is treated more lightly or severely than others.
Timeline of events shows escalating charges
The investigation began when police named Høiby as a suspect in a physical assault case against a woman with whom he had been in a relationship. The alleged victim was hospitalized with a concussion following the incident in Oslo’s Frogner district. Høiby was arrested multiple times throughout 2024, including in September for allegedly violating a restraining order and again in November on preliminary rape charges.
The four rape charges allegedly occurred between 2018 and 2024, with the most recent incident taking place after the police investigation had already begun. Prosecutors say all the alleged rapes were committed while the victims were asleep or unable to resist, and that Høiby filmed some of the incidents on his phone. The charges also include domestic abuse against a former partner, vandalism, and filming women’s genitals without their consent.
Norway’s royal family has faced increasing scrutiny as the case has developed, with some experts calling it the monarchy’s greatest crisis since the country’s independence in 1905. Høiby does not hold a royal title and is not in line for the throne, but his connection to the royal family has drawn intense media attention. The case has sparked discussions about the problems inherent in monarchical systems, similar to controversies that have plagued other royal families around the world.
Høiby’s defense attorney has stated that his client takes the accusations seriously but does not acknowledge wrongdoing in most cases, especially regarding sexual abuse and violence. The royal palace has remained largely silent on the matter, issuing only a brief statement that it is up to the courts to hear the case and reach a decision. The trial is expected to begin in January 2026 and could last up to six weeks.
Published: Aug 18, 2025 03:49 pm