Royal Scandal: Norwegian Crown Princess’ Son Faces Charges of Rape/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Marius Borg Høiby, son of Norway’s Crown Princess, faces charges of rape, assault, and violence involving numerous alleged victims. Oslo police announced the charges after months of investigation using witness statements and digital evidence. Høiby denies most allegations, while Norway’s royal palace remains publicly silent beyond procedural statements.
Quick Look
- Who: Marius Borg Høiby, son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit
- What: Charged with rape, sexual assault, bodily harm
- Where: Oslo, Norway
- Victims: Double-digit number alleged
- Royal Response: Palace cites legal process, offers no comment
- Defense: Høiby denies most allegations, remains free pending trial
Norwegian Crown Princess’s Son Charged With Rape, Assault In Oslo Case Involving Multiple Victims
Deep Look
OSLO, Norway (AP) — Oslo police on Friday announced that Marius Borg Høiby, the eldest son of Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit, has been formally charged with multiple crimes, including rape, sexual assault, and bodily harm, following a months-long investigation involving a “double-digit” number of alleged victims.
Høiby, 28, who is the stepson of Crown Prince Haakon, had been under police scrutiny since 2024, when he was repeatedly arrested amid allegations of rape and preliminary charges related to bodily harm and property damage.
At a news conference, Oslo Police Attorney Andreas Kruszewski said Høiby cooperated fully during questioning. The evidence gathered includes witness statements, text messages, and information uncovered during police searches, he said.
The charges against Høiby include one count of rape involving intercourse, two counts of rape without intercourse, four counts of sexual assault, and two counts of bodily harm, Kruszewski confirmed.
“I cannot go into further detail about the number of victims in the case beyond confirming that it is a double-digit number,” Kruszewski told reporters.
In an email to The Associated Press, Høiby’s defense lawyer, Petar Sekulic, said his client “is absolutely taking the accusations very seriously but doesn’t acknowledge any wrongdoing in most of the cases — especially the cases regarding sexual abuse and violence.”
The royal palace released a brief statement, saying: “The case is proceeding through the legal system and is following normal procedures. We have nothing further to add.”
The case has dominated headlines in Norway, where the royal family remains widely admired.
Høiby previously lived with the crown prince and princess and their two children, Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus, but now resides in a separate home nearby, according to Sekulic.
He remains free pending potential trial proceedings and is entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty in court.
Once affectionately known to Norwegians as “Little Marius,” Høiby grew up in the public spotlight, sharing in the royal family’s privileged lifestyle. His biological father, Morton Borg, has a criminal record that includes convictions for drug and violent offenses. Høiby himself has publicly acknowledged past cocaine use and struggles with addiction.
Norway’s future queen, Mette-Marit, made headlines when she married Crown Prince Haakon in 2001, due in part to her background as a single mother and her past relationship with a man who had drug-related convictions.
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