Marius Borg Høiby, the 29-year-old son of Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit, has been sentenced to four years in prison by the Oslo district court. He was found guilty on Monday of 34 offenses, including two counts of rape, serious bodily harm, abuse in close relationships, physical assault, threats, sexually offensive behavior, and violating restraining orders.
Trial and Verdict
The verdict was delivered in a packed courthouse nearly three months after a closely watched six-week trial. Høiby had pleaded not guilty to the most serious charges, including rape, but admitted to lesser offenses. His lawyers announced an appeal shortly after the verdict.
Judge Jon Sverdrup Efjestad convicted Høiby of assaulting his ex-girlfriend Nora Haukland, the only victim publicly named. He was ordered to pay Haukland and three other women a total of 640,000 Norwegian kroner (about £50,000) in compensation and received a two-year restraining order against one victim.
Case Details
Høiby faced 40 charges, including four counts of rape and assault, breaches of restraining orders, and drug and driving offenses. One charge of violating a restraining order was later dropped. He was acquitted of two rape counts and two restraining order violations.
The rape charges involved four women between 2018 and 2024, all allegedly sleeping or heavily incapacitated. In one case, a rape occurred in the basement of the crown prince and princess's residence at Skaugum in December 2018. Judge Efjestad cited video evidence showing the victim unresponsive, supporting her unawareness of the assault.
Reactions
Prosecutor Sturla Henriksbø noted the difficulty of evaluating evidence in rape cases, with a third of such charges in Norway ending in acquittal. Defense lawyers argued for acquittal or a maximum 18-month sentence for admitted offenses.
Victims' lawyers expressed relief and disappointment. John Christian Elden and Heidi Reisvang stated that the Skaugum victim hoped for final closure and that Høiby receives help. Another victim, acquitted in her case, was disappointed but acknowledged the high burden of proof.
Royal Family Context
The trial coincided with Crown Princess Mette-Marit's serious illness, awaiting a lung transplant. Høiby's request for temporary release to visit her was denied by the appeal court. The Norwegian royal court declined to comment on the verdict.
The case has drawn significant attention in Norway and abroad, highlighting issues of consent, domestic violence, and sexual offenses.
