Norwegian prosecutors have charged Marius Borg Høiby, the eldest son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit, with a range of offences, including rape, following a lengthy investigation.
Oslo state attorney Sturla Henriksbø announced on Monday 18th August (Tuesday the 19th in Australia) that Høiby could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
The indictment, filed in Oslo district court, comprises 32 counts, including rape, abuse in a close relationship, and violent acts against a former partner.
Additional charges involve death threats and traffic offences.
Høiby, 28, is the son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit and stepson of the heir Crown Prince Haakon. Though he has no official royal title or duties, he has long been considered part of the royal family.
He was first arrested in August 2024 on various crimes and has been under scrutiny since. Currently, he remains free pending trial, with Henriksbø saying there is no immediate reason for his detention.
The trial is expected to begin around mid-January 2025 and run for approximately six weeks.
Defence attorney Petar Sekulic responded in an email to the indictment by stating: “Our client denies all charges of sexual abuse, as well as the majority of the charges regarding violence.” He added that Høiby “will present a detailed account of his version of events before the court.”
The royal palace commented briefly, saying the matter was for the courts to resolve and had no further statement to make.
Høiby’s first arrest took place on August 4 2025. after an alleged assault inside his girlfriend’s Oslo apartment, where he was charged with causing bodily harm and property damage.
About 10 days later, he admitted wrongdoing and issued a public apology to the royal family.
“I know that my actions have greatly affected you,” he said, adding that he took “full responsibility” for what had happened.
Høiby is the child of Crown Princess Mette-Marit from a relationship prior to her marriage to Crown Prince Haakon in 2001.
Though King Harald formally recognised him as part of the royal family before the wedding, he was never given a royal title. After years of attending royal events, he stepped back from public life in 2017.
He lives with Crown Prince Haakon, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, and their two children, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, 21, and Prince Sverre Magnus, 19.
Recently, Princess Ingrid Alexandra relocated to Sydney, Australia, to begin a three-year social science degree specialising in international relations and political economy at the University of Sydney.
She resides at St Andrew’s College, on campus.
Her parents, Crown Prince Haakon, 52, and Crown Princess Mette-Marit, 51, were seen in Sydney last week after reportedly flying in quietly to help their daughter settle in.
Mette-Marit is believed to have arrived earlier, while Haakon joined after a holiday in Portugal with his son and stepson.
Crown Princess Mette-Marit herself has ties to Australia, having spent 1992 as an exchange student at Wangaratta High School in Victoria.
She made headlines in 2001 following her marriage to Crown Prince Haakon because she was a single mother with a former partner who had been convicted on drug charges.
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