Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s Son Sentenced to Prison for Rape

A district court in Oslo sentenced 29-year-old Marius Borg Høiby to prison on Monday, June 15, after finding him guilty of two counts of rape among numerous other criminal charges.

Verdict and Charges

The 29-year-old did not appear in person, participating in the hearing via video link. A three-judge panel delivered the ruling, supported by a 128-page written justification, which remains subject to appeal.

Judge Jon Sverdrup Efjestad acquitted Høiby of two rape charges but convicted him on two others. The case involved 40 total charges, including psychological and physical abuse of a former partner, violations of restraining orders, property damage, and drug offenses.

Legal Proceedings

The trial spanned from February 3 to March 19, involving over 70 witnesses and evidence consisting of 830 pages of messages alongside 10,000 pages of documents. More than 200 journalists were accredited for the proceedings.

Prosecutors had requested a sentence of seven years and seven months, while the defense argued for an 18-month term. Both sides maintain the right to file an appeal following the verdict.

Royal Connections and Family Context

Marius Borg Høiby is the eldest son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit from a relationship prior to her marriage to Crown Prince Haakon. He holds no royal title, performs no official functions, and is not a member of the royal court.

Despite his lack of official status, the case has significantly impacted the image of the Norwegian monarchy. The sentencing coincides with reports of Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s deteriorating health; she suffers from pulmonary fibrosis and is currently on a transplant waiting list.

Defense attorneys had repeatedly petitioned for Høiby’s release from custody, arguing that he should be permitted to spend time with his mother given the gravity of her medical condition.