Norwegian Crown Princess’s Son Convicted of Rape, Sentenced to Four Years

Marius Borg Høiby, the son of Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit, was sentenced on Monday to four years in prison after being convicted of two rape counts and other serious offenses. The verdict was delivered by the Oslo District Court in a packed courtroom, nearly three months after a six-week trial that drew intense public attention in Norway because of his royal connection and the sensitive issues at the center of the case.

Høiby, 29, was convicted on 34 of the 40 charges brought against him. Those included two rape counts, grievous bodily harm, abuse in close relationships, physical assault, threats, six counts of sexually offensive behavior, and three violations of restraining orders. He was acquitted of two additional rape charges and two further restraining-order violations.

The court ordered him to pay compensation totaling 640,000 kroner, about 50,000 euros, to four women. The rape allegations involved four women and covered incidents between 2018 and 2024, with prosecutors saying the women were either asleep or otherwise unable to consent. In its ruling, the court said, "Rape is a grave violation of integrity, and the punishment must reflect that." Prosecutor Sturla Henriksbø said cases like this are difficult because of the challenge of assessing evidence.

Prosecutors had sought seven years and seven months in prison, while the defense argued that Høiby should be cleared of the rape charges and receive no more than 18 months for the offenses he admitted. Høiby denied the most serious accusations but acknowledged some lesser offenses, and his lawyers said within hours that they would appeal. The royal palace said only that the matter had been handled by the courts and it had no comment on the outcome.