The stepson of Norway’s Crown Prince Haakon, Marius Borg Høiby, has been sentenced to four years in prison after being found guilty of rape and domestic violence following a seven-week trial that has shocked the Scandinavian nation and further dented the royal family’s public image.
The Oslo District Court ruled on Monday that the 29-year-old was guilty of two counts of rape, including one incident that took place in the basement of the Crown Prince’s residence. He was, however, acquitted of two other rape charges.
Høiby, who became part of the royal household after his mother, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, married Crown Prince Haakon in 2001, has no royal title and performs no official duties.
During the trial, the court heard evidence relating to drug use, explicit recordings of sexual encounters, and a series of incriminating electronic messages linked to a former partner.
Prosecutors had sought a prison sentence of more than seven years, arguing that multiple victims were unable to resist due to intoxication or incapacitation following parties.
Judge Jon Sverdrup Efjestad said the court found it proven that one victim “was not able to resist the action,” referencing the rape at the Crown Prince’s home while delivering the verdict.
Høiby was also found guilty of domestic violence against a former girlfriend between 2022 and 2023, with the court detailing repeated physical assaults including punching, choking, and throwing objects.
He was acquitted of some charges and had earlier admitted to lesser offences, including drug-related and traffic violations.
Both the defence and prosecution have indicated they may appeal the ruling.
The Norwegian royal household declined to comment, stating that the matter had been fully handled by the courts.
The case has drawn significant public attention in Norway, not only due to Høiby’s royal connections but also amid wider scrutiny of the monarchy’s public standing.
