The son of Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit has been
sentenced to four years in prison after being found guilty of rape
and a series of other offences following one of the most closely
watched court cases in recent Norwegian history.
Marius Borg Høiby, 29, was convicted by Oslo District Court of
two counts of rape, domestic abuse and several additional offences
involving multiple women.
The court acquitted him of two other rape charges but found him
guilty of numerous other crimes following a six-week trial that has
cast a shadow over Norway’s Royal Family.
Høiby, who attended Monday’s hearing by video link from prison,
had denied the rape allegations against him.
Prosecutors had sought a sentence of seven years and seven
months, while defence lawyers argued he should receive no more than
18 months in prison and be acquitted of the rape charges.
The court ultimately imposed a four-year custodial sentence and
ordered Høiby to pay compensation totalling 640,000 Norwegian
kroner to four women.
He was also handed a two-year restraining order against one of
his victims.
Although he is the son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit, Høiby is
not a member of Norway’s Royal Family.
He was four years old when his mother married Crown Prince
Haakon in 2001 and has no official royal role.
The case involved allegations from six women and attracted
intense public interest across Norway and beyond.
The rape convictions related to two separate incidents involving
women whom the court found had been unable to resist what took
place.
Judges concluded that one victim had been asleep when the
assault occurred, while another conviction related to an incident
at the Crown Prince’s Skaugum estate.
The court acquitted Høiby of two further rape allegations.
He was also convicted of abusing former girlfriend Nora
Haukland, a well-known Norwegian influencer and the only
complainant who could be publicly identified.
The trial has unfolded during an already difficult period for
the Norwegian monarchy.
Just days before the verdict, the Royal Household announced that
Crown Princess Mette-Marit had been placed on a lung transplant
waiting list as her battle with chronic pulmonary fibrosis
worsens.
Høiby’s lawyers had repeatedly sought his release from custody
so he could spend time with his mother, arguing that her declining
health made family contact particularly important.
A lower court briefly agreed to release him ahead of the
verdict, but that decision was overturned on appeal.
Høiby’s legal team has indicated that he may appeal against the
verdict.