The son of Norway’s crown princess has been charged with rape, domestic violence, assault and other crimes following a year-long police investigation, a prosecutor said.
Marius Borg Høiby, 28, son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit and stepson to Crown Prince Haakon, is expected to stand trial early next year and could face up to 10 years in prison if found guilty of the most serious charges, the prosecutor said.
Høiby denies the most serious accusations against him, but plans to plead guilty to some lesser charges in court when the trial starts, his lawyer Petar Sekulic told Reuters news agency.
“He does not agree with the claims regarding rape and domestic violence,” Sekulic said of his client.
Høiby is not granted a royal title and does not fall within the royal succession line.
“It is up to the courts to hear this case and to reach a decision,” the royal palace said in a statement.
Police in November 2024 held Høiby in detention for one week as part of the investigation.
He was charged on Tuesday AEST with 32 criminal offences, including one count of rape with sexual intercourse and three counts of rape without intercourse, some of which he filmed on his telephone, the prosecution said.
“It’s up to the judges to decide if he is guilty,” prosecutor Sturla Henriksboe told a press conference.
Police in August last year named Høiby as a suspect in a physical assault against a woman with whom he had been in a relationship.
Høiby, in a statement to the media at the time, admitted to causing bodily harm to the woman while he was under the influence of cocaine and alcohol and of damaging her apartment. Høiby said he regretted his acts.
Høiby is Mette-Marit’s son from a relationship before her marriage in 2001 to Haakon, Norway’s future king.
If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault or domestic violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732, or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.
