On Friday, Oslo police revealed that Marius Borg Høiby, the eldest son of Norway’s crown princess, has been charged with several offenses such as rape, sexual assault, and bodily harm. This follows an extensive investigation involving allegations from a significant number of victims.

Høiby, who is the son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit and the stepson of the future king, Crown Prince Haakon, has been in the spotlight since his multiple arrests in 2024 over accusations of rape and initial charges related to bodily harm and property damage.

Oslo Police Attorney Andreas Kruszewski said Høiby was cooperative during police questioning, which is now complete.

Evidence in the case was drawn from sources including text-messages, witness testimonies and police searches, the police attorney said.

According to Kruszewksi at a press briefing, the charges encompass an incident of rape with intercourse, two instances of rape without intercourse, four sexual assault cases, and two instances of bodily harm.

“I cannot go into further detail about the number of victims in the case beyond confirming that it is a double-digit number,” he said.

Defence attorney Petar Sekulic, in an email to The Associated Press, said Høiby was “absolutely taking the accusations very seriously, but doesn’t acknowledge any wrongdoing in most of the cases — especially the cases regarding sexual abuse and violence.”

The royal palace did not immediately respond to an e-mailed request from the AP seeking comment. The palace was quoted by the Norwegian newswire NTB saying it would not comment while the case winds its way through the “normal procedures”.

The case was top news in Norway, where the royals are popular.

Høiby, 28, previously lived with the royal couple and their two children, Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus, but now lives in a separate house nearby, according to Sekulic.

Høiby remains free pending a possible trial and is entitled to a presumption of innocence until a court rules otherwise.

Once known affectionately as “Little Marius,” Høiby grew up in the public eye enjoying the same wealth and privilege as his royal siblings, although his biological father, Morton Borg, served time in prison for drugs and violent offences.

Høiby has acknowledged cocaine use and addiction.

Norway’s future queen made headlines in 2001 when she married Haakon because she was a single mother who had lived a freewheeling life with a companion who had been convicted on drug charges.