Son of Norway's Crown Princess Charged with Serious Crimes
Marius Borg Høiby, the 28-year-old son of Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit, has been formally charged with 23 criminal offenses, including multiple counts of rape, sexual assault, and bodily harm, according to Oslo police. The investigation, spanning nearly a year, has drawn widespread public attention in Norway, where the royal family enjoys considerable respect.
Details of the Investigation and Charges
Originally under scrutiny since August 2024, Høiby faced preliminary charges relating to the alleged assault of his girlfriend. However, as the inquiry deepened, a significantly larger number of accusations surfaced. Police Attorney Andreas Kruszewski revealed in a press briefing that the charges include one count of rape involving intercourse, two counts of rape without intercourse, four counts of sexual assault, and two counts of bodily harm.
While exact numbers remain confidential, Kruszewski confirmed the investigation involves a double-digit number of alleged victims. Authorities relied on a wealth of evidence, such as text messages, witness testimonies, and results from property searches. Throughout the process, Høiby has cooperated with investigators.
Legal Stance and Public Reaction
Despite the gravity of the accusations, Høiby remains free on bail, with the legal principle of presumed innocence standing until proven guilty in court. His defense attorney, Petar Sekulic, stated that while Høiby takes the allegations seriously, he denies wrongdoing in most instances, particularly concerning sexual abuse and violence charges.
The royal palace has not yet issued any official comment regarding the ongoing case.
Background and Royal Context
Marius Borg Høiby is the son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit from a previous relationship and the stepson of Crown Prince Haakon. He lived with the royal family for some time, sharing a home with the crown couple and their children, Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus. Currently, he resides separately in a nearby residence.
Crown Princess Mette-Marit herself once attracted significant media attention when marrying Crown Prince Haakon in 2001, especially due to her history as a single mother and her previous relationship with a man who had a criminal record for drug-related offenses. Over time, the Norwegian public largely accepted her background.
The Road Ahead
The case remains ongoing as authorities prepare for potential trial proceedings. Given the royal family's prominence, the case has ignited intense public and media scrutiny across Norway, highlighting the challenging balance between respecting legal processes and managing public interest.
