THE infamous Norwegian prince Marius Borg Hoiby has been charged with four counts of rape — among a slew of sex and violence allegations.
Marius Borg Høiby, aged 28, the son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit and stepson of Prince Haakon, heir to the throne, appeared in court on Monday following a police investigation that lasted over a year.
The disgraced royal is accused of 32 offences including rape, sexual assault and bodily harm.
The shocking claims include one count of rape involving intercourse, two without intercourse, four cases of sexual assault, and two of bodily harm.
In all instances, he allegedly assaulted the women while they were sleeping.
Høiby is also charged with abuse against his ex-partner Nora Haukland and acting violently towards another former girlfriend.
Prosecutor Sturla Henriksbø presented the charges on Monday, stating: “This case is extremely serious. Acts of rape and violence within close relationships are grave and can cause lasting harm and ruin lives.”
The prosecutor further mentioned: “Marius Borg Høiby’s status as a royal family member should not influence the treatment of this case. He should be neither favored nor penalized more harshly compared to others accused of similar acts.”
The royal could face ten years in prison following a six-week trial in January, he told NRK.
Høiby was repeatedly arrested last year as the case unfolded, with preliminary charges of rape, violence and criminal damage.
Investigators say the evidence includes text messages, witness statements and findings from police searches.
The alleged royal rapist is said to have cooperated with police during questioning, CBS reports.
Høiby has no official public role and was born before his mother’s 2001 marriage into the Norwegian royal family.
He was raised alongside Princess Ingrid Alexandra, 21, and Prince Sverre Magnus, 19, but now lives separately in a house near the family estate.
His attorney, Petar Sekulic, has previously remarked: “He takes these accusations very seriously but denies any wrongdoing in the majority of the cases, particularly those concerning sexual abuse and violence.”
The recent charges follow a series of unsettling allegations made earlier in the year, including a supposed fifth rape alleged to have taken place after his release from custody following a violent altercation with his girlfriend.
He is also accused of raping Linni Meister, a 39-year-old TV personality, in 2018 while she was unconscious at one of his notorious “Skaugum Festival” parties, purportedly conducted in the basement of the royal estate as Crown Prince Haakon reportedly slept upstairs.
The scandal exploded after Høiby was first arrested on August 4 over an alleged assault that left then-girlfriend Rebecca Helberg Arntsen hospitalised.
But her legal team has denied they were in a relationship.
A week after his arrest, he released a statement via his lawyer, saying he suffers from “several mental disorders” and has “struggled with substance abuse for a long time”.
It read: “Last weekend something happened that should never have happened. I committed bodily harm and destroyed objects in an apartment in the intoxication of alcohol and cocaine after an argument.
“I have several mental disorders which mean that throughout my upbringing and adult life, I have had, and still have, challenges.
“I have struggled with substance abuse for a long time, something I have been in treatment for in the past.
“The drug use and my diagnoses do not excuse what happened in the apartment at Frogner on the night of Sunday last weekend. I want to be responsible for what I have done, and will explain myself truthfully to the police.
“For me, the most important thing is to say sorry to my girlfriend. She deserved neither what happened that night, nor the extreme pressure from both the Norwegian and foreign press afterwards.”
Since then, he has reportedly spent time in rehab clinics in London and has been spotted in Copenhagen, almost unrecognisable with dyed hair, sunglasses and a hoodie.
He was arrested again in September for allegedly breaching a restraining order — and again in November on fresh rape charges.
Høiby was later banned from receiving visitors or letters while in custody, over fears he could tamper with evidence.
One clip unearthed by police reportedly shows him making a slapping gesture while allegedly describing how he “broke up” with an ex.
The footage was said to have circulated among 50 people in his inner circle.
