Marius Borg Høiby, the 29-year-old son of Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit, has been sentenced to four years in prison after being found guilty of 34 offences, including two counts of rape. The verdict was delivered by Oslo District Court on Monday, following a six-week trial that has gripped the nation.
The court convicted Høiby of assaulting his former girlfriend Nora Haukland, the only victim publicly named. He was ordered to pay Haukland and three other women a total of 640,000 kroner (about £50,000) in compensation, and received a two-year restraining order against one victim. The judge, Jon Sverdrup Efjestad, stated: “Rape is a serious violation of integrity, and the punishment must reflect this.”
Høiby faced 40 charges, including four counts of rape, but was acquitted of two rape charges. He pleaded not guilty to the most serious accusations, though he admitted to some lesser offences. His lawyers announced an appeal within hours of the verdict. Prosecutors had sought a sentence of seven years and seven months, while the defence argued for no more than 18 months.
The rape charges involved four women between 2018 and 2024, with allegations that they were asleep or heavily incapacitated. In one case, the court described video evidence showing the victim lying motionless, with no signs of being awake. The trial has drawn attention to issues of consent and domestic violence in Norway.
Høiby attended the hearing via video link from Ila prison, citing health reasons. The case has added strain to the Norwegian royal family, already dealing with Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s serious illness. Victims’ lawyers expressed relief at the verdict, with one stating that the victim hopes “this marks the final conclusion.”
