Future Queen of Norway’s son charged with 32 offences including four counts of rape
It has been reported today (18 August) that the son of Norway's crown princess has been charged with rape, domestic violence, assault and other crimes following a year-long police investigation.
Marius Borg Høiby, 28, the son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit and stepson to Crown Prince Haakon, is expected to stand trial early next year.
If found guilty of the most serious charges, he could face up to a decade in prison, the prosecutor said.
"The maximum penalty for the offences listed in the indictment is imprisonment of up to 10 years," public prosecutor Sturla Henriksbo told reporters.
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"These are very serious acts that can leave lasting scars and destroy lives," he added.
"The fact that Marius Borg Hoiby 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."
During the press conference, Henriksboe added: "It's up to the judges to decide if he is guilty."
The 32 criminal offences include one count of rape with sexual intercourse and three counts of rape without intercourse, some of which he filmed on his telephone, the prosecution said.
In addition to those four counts of rape, other charges include domestic abuse against a former partner and several counts of violence, disturbing the peace, vandalism and violation of restraining orders against another former partner.
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.
Høiby's lawyer, Ellen Holager Andenaes, has said that he has denied the most serious accusations against him, including those of rape and domestic violence.
"It is for the courts to consider this matter and reach a decision. We have no further comment," the royal court told Tyla in a statement.
He is currently free pending trial, and Mr Henriksbo said at the moment there is no reason to arrest and jail him.
Høiby has no royal title or official duties. He has been under investigation since his arrest on 4 August last year on suspicion of assaulting his girlfriend.
In a public statement 10 days after his arrest, Høiby claimed he had acted 'under the influence of alcohol and cocaine after an argument', having suffered from 'mental troubles' and struggling 'for a long time with substance abuse'.
Tyla has reached out to the Norwegian Royal Family for further comment.
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.
Topics: World News, News, Crime, Royal Family
Rhiannon Ingle