Warning: This article contains discussion of rape and domestic violence which some readers may find distressing.
On Monday (18 August), Norwegian authorities revealed that Marius Borg Høiby had been charged with 32 offences, including four counts of rape.
The announcement came after a year-long police investigation into the 28-year-old, who is the son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit and stepson to Crown Prince Haakon, following his arrest on 4 August 2024 on suspicion of assaulting his girlfriend.
Høiby has denied the most serious accusations against him, including those of rape and domestic violence, his attorney Petar Sekulic told Reuters.
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"The fact that Marius Borg Høiby is a member of the Royal Family should, of course, not mean that he should be treated more lightly or more severely than if similar acts had been committed by others," public prosecutor Sturla Henriksbo told reporters.
During the press conference, Henriksboe added: "It's up to the judges to decide if he is guilty."
But what do we actually know about Høiby and his case?
Who is Marius Borg Høiby?
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As we say, Høiby is the son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit and stepson to Crown Prince Haakon.
He was born in Oslo back in 1997 to Mette-Marit and his birth father, Morten Borg, a convicted felon. His parents were never in a formal relationship.
He is the maternal half-brother of Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus, his mother's other children with Haakon.
While he grew up within the royal household, Høiby holds no royal title and is not in the line of succession.
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After attending Toppidrett High School, he briefly attended Santa Monica College before dropping out to pursue a career in fashion. He then held various short-term roles, including in property and at a dating-app company. Additionally, he worked as a motorcycle mechanic in a shop.
In recent years, he has resided in a separate house at Skaugum, the royal estate in Asker, close to the main residence.
What has Høiby been charged with?
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The 32 criminal offences include:
- One count of rape with sexual intercourse
- Three counts of rape without intercourse, some of which he filmed on his telephone, the prosecution said
These four instances of rape for which Høiby is charged allegedly took place in 2018, 2023, and 2024, the last one after the police investigation began.
In addition to those four counts of rape, other charges include:
- Domestic violence/abuse in close relationships (multiple counts)
- Assaults on at least two former partners
- Death threats
- Filming women’s genitals without consent
- Violation of restraining/visitation orders (multiple instances)
- Property damage/vandalism
- Disturbing the peace/harassment of police
- Traffic violations (driving without a license, etc)
What has Høiby said about the charges?
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Høiby's lawyer, Ellen Holager Andenaes, has also said that he has denied the most serious accusations against him, including those of rape and domestic violence.
Reuters claims that Høiby's attorney reiterated that his client will plead guilty to some charges but disputes the most serious crimes.
"He does not agree with the claims regarding rape and domestic violence," Sekulic said.
He is currently free pending trial, and Mr Henriksbo said at the moment there is no reason to arrest and jail him.
What has the Norwegian Royal Family said about the charges?
Following the charges, Crown Prince Haakon said the family would do their best to carry out duties as normal.
"We will continue to carry out our duties as best we can, as we always do," he said. "Everyone involved in this case probably finds it challenging and difficult."
"It is for the courts to consider this matter and reach a decision. We have no further comment," the royal court also previously told Tyla in a statement.
How much time could Høiby face in prison?
If found guilty of the most serious charges, he could potentially face up to a decade in prison.
"The maximum penalty for the offences listed in the indictment is imprisonment of up to 10 years," Henriksbo said.
"These are very serious acts that can leave lasting scars and destroy lives," he added.
If you have been affected by any of the issues in this article and wish to speak to someone in confidence, contact the Rape Crisis England and Wales helpline on 0808 500 222, available 24/7. If you are currently in danger or need urgent medical attention, you should call 999.
If you are experiencing domestic violence, please know that you are not alone. You can talk in confidence to the national domestic violence helpline Refuge on 0808 2000 247, available 24/7, or via live chat, available 10am-10pm, Monday to Friday.
Topics: Royal Family, World News, News, Crime
Rhiannon Ingle