Marius Borg Høiby is once again at the center of a case that has gripped Norway for months. The Oslo District Court has sentenced the 29-year-old to four years in prison. According to reports, the son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit was convicted on two counts of rape and one count of assault. He was also ordered to pay compensation to four women, including two former partners. He was acquitted of two additional rape charges. Høiby did not attend the sentencing in person due to health reasons and appeared via video link instead.
Marius Borg Høiby Faced 40 Charges
The case involved a total of 40 charges. Prosecutors had sought a prison sentence of seven years and seven months, while the defense argued for acquittal on the rape allegations. Høiby had already admitted to several offenses, including assault, property damage, traffic violations, transporting 3.5 kilograms of marijuana, and breaching a restraining order involving an ex-girlfriend.
Although closely linked to Norway’s royal household, the 29-year-old is not officially a member of the royal family. He is the son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit from a relationship before her marriage to Crown Prince Haakon.
Multiple Arrests Since August 2024
Høiby was first arrested in August 2024 after causing a disturbance at his then-girlfriend’s apartment. He later admitted to being violent toward her. As the investigation progressed, several additional accusations emerged.
Shortly before the trial began, he was arrested again for allegedly violating a restraining order involving the same former partner. Since then, he has remained in custody. Multiple attempts to secure his release, including a request to wear an electronic ankle monitor, were rejected by the courts.
Concerns About Mette-Marit Remained in Focus
In the days leading up to the verdict, Høiby submitted another request for release, citing his mother’s deteriorating health. Crown Princess Mette-Marit suffers from a chronic and incurable lung disease. According to the royal court, she is in urgent need of a lung transplant, and her condition has worsened significantly in recent months.
Høiby argued that being unable to support his mother during this difficult period was unbearable. The appeal was denied. The Oslo proceedings have now concluded with the 29-year-old receiving a multi-year prison sentence.
