Norway crown princess’s son charged with rape, 31 other offences

Marius Borg Høiby, the eldest son of Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit, has been charged with 32 criminal offences, including four counts of rape, prosecutors have confirmed.

The 28-year-old, who was born before the princess married Crown Prince Haakon, faces allegations ranging from sexual abuse of a former partner to repeated violations of restraining orders. He has also been accused of secretly filming women’s genitals without their consent.

Prosecutor Sturla Henriksbø told reporters that if convicted of the most serious charges, Høiby could face up to 10 years in prison.

Høiby has denied the rape and domestic violence allegations but intends to admit to some of the lesser offences, his lawyer Petar Sekulic told Reuters. “He does not agree with the claims regarding rape and domestic violence,” Sekulic said.

According to Norwegian broadcaster NRK, the alleged rapes took place between 2018 and 2024, with one incident said to have occurred after his arrest. He was detained three times last year—in August, September, and November—after police began investigating him for assault.

Crown Prince Haakon, who is heir to the Norwegian throne, said the case was “challenging and difficult” for all involved but stressed that it was now for the courts to decide.

The trial is expected to begin in January and could last up to six weeks.