Norway Royal Son Jailed for Rape: Four-Year Sentence Sparks Appeal
Norway Royal Son Jailed for Rape: Four-Year Sentence Sparks Appeal
Marius Borg Høiby, son of Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit, has been sentenced to four years in prison for two counts of rape. The verdict has sent shockwaves through the royal circles and an appeal is planned. Get th
Oslo, Norway – Marius Borg Høiby, the 29-year-old son of Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit, has been found guilty of two counts of rape and sentenced to four years in prison. The verdict was delivered today at Oslo District Court, concluding a high-profile case that has drawn significant public and media attention.
The three judges presiding over courtroom 250 cleared Høiby of two other counts of rape but convicted him of several other offenses. Prosecutors had initially sought a more severe sentence of seven years and seven months, while the defense argued for a much lesser term of 18 months. Høiby was not present in court for the verdict due to unspecified health reasons, instead joining the session via video link. His lawyers have confirmed his intention to appeal the ruling.
Although Marius Borg Høiby is not a direct member of the royal family – his mother married Crown Prince Haakon when Høiby was four – his upbringing within the royal household has meant the trial has inevitably cast a shadow over the broader monarchy. The Royal Palace has maintained a stance of no comment regarding Monday's verdict, opting to remain silent on the personal legal matters of the Crown Princess's son.
A poignant aspect of the trial has been the health of Crown Princess Mette-Marit, who suffers from pulmonary fibrosis and is currently awaiting a lung transplant. Høiby's defense lawyers had repeatedly sought his release from prison, citing his mother's declining health as a reason for him to spend time with her. While Oslo District Court initially granted a temporary release last week, this decision was swiftly overturned by the court of appeal.
The convictions include one instance of rape that occurred on the Crown Prince's estate at Skaugum in 2018 and another involving a woman in Oslo in 2024. Judge Jon Sverdrup Efjestad began the verdict session with a summary of the conclusions, followed by a comprehensive 128-page ruling explaining the court's decision in detail.
