Norway's Crown Prince's stepson convicted of rape and sentenced to prison
Consensus Summary
Marius Borg Høiby, the stepson of Norway's Crown Prince Haakon, was convicted on June 15, 2026, of two counts of rape and other crimes, receiving a four-year prison sentence after a seven-week trial. The verdict came after prosecutors sought seven years and seven months, while Høiby's defence argued for acquittal on rape charges and a maximum of 18 months for lesser offences. He was acquitted of two additional rape charges and ordered to pay compensation to four victims, including his former girlfriend Nora Haukland. The case involved evidence such as 800 electronic messages and self-made videos, with allegations spanning 2018 to 2024, where victims were reportedly sleeping or incapacitated. One rape allegedly occurred in the basement of the crown prince's family home. The trial unfolded amid scrutiny of the royal family, particularly Crown Princess Mette-Marit, who faces health struggles with pulmonary fibrosis and awaits a lung transplant, as well as past criticism over her association with Jeffrey Epstein. Public support for the monarchy dipped to 60% during the trial but slightly recovered to 64% by May 2026, though opposition to the monarchy rose temporarily. Høiby, who pleaded not guilty to the rape charges, can appeal the verdict.
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Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Marius Borg Høiby, 29, was sentenced to four years in prison by an Oslo court on June 15, 2026, for two counts of rape and other crimes.
- Høiby pleaded not guilty to the most serious accusations (rape) but admitted to some lesser offences and can appeal the verdict.
- Prosecutors had requested a sentence of seven years and seven months in prison.
- Høiby was acquitted of two other counts of rape.
- The trial lasted seven weeks (ABC) and six weeks (Guardian), with evidence including over 800 electronic messages (ABC) and self-made videos of sexual encounters (ABC).
- One alleged rape took place in the basement of the crown prince's family home.
- Høiby was ordered to pay compensation to four women, including his former girlfriend Nora Haukland, who was publicly named as a victim.
- Høiby joined the royal family in 2001 when his mother, Mette-Marit, married Crown Prince Haakon.
- Crown Princess Mette-Marit is awaiting a lung transplant due to pulmonary fibrosis and has about a year left to live without one, according to her doctors.
- The case coincides with criticism of the royal family over Mette-Marit's past association with Jeffrey Epstein.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- The case contributed to a decline in popularity for the royals, with support dropping to a record low of 60% in February 2026 (from 70% in January) and rising slightly to 64% in May 2026.
- A Norstat survey showed a rise in those wanting a different system of governance, from 19% in January to 27% in February, then dropping to 23% in May.
- Høiby was acquitted of two other counts of rape and admitted to some lesser charges, including drug addiction and breaches of restraining orders.
- The trial detailed Høiby's drug addiction and self-made videos of sexual encounters, with over 800 electronic messages entered as evidence.
- The case was described as a 'perfect crisis' for the royal family due to the timing of Mette-Marit's Epstein apology and the contrast between the royal image and the allegations.
- The court overturned Høiby's temporary release request to visit his mother, as it was denied by the court of appeal.
- Høiby was sentenced to a two-year restraining order against one of his victims.
- Høiby faced 40 charges, including four counts of rape, assault, breaches of restraining orders, drug offences, and driving offences (one restraining order violation was later overturned).
- The rape charges involve four women between 2018 and 2024, with allegations that the women were sleeping or heavily incapacitated.
- Høiby attended court by video link from Ila prison for health reasons, according to his defence.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- ABC states the trial lasted seven weeks, while The Guardian says it lasted six weeks.
- ABC mentions Høiby was acquitted of two other counts of rape and admitted to lesser charges, while The Guardian does not explicitly state the number of lesser charges admitted to.
Source Articles
Stepson of Norway's crown prince convicted of rape
Marius Borg Høiby, 29, has been found guilty of two counts of rape and other crimes.
Son of Norway’s crown princess convicted of rape and sentenced to four years in prison
Marius Borg Høiby found guilty of two counts of rape, one count of domestic violence and other crimes Marius Borg Høiby, the son of Norway’s crown princess, has been sentenced to four years in prison after being found guilty of several offences, including two counts of rape. He was also sentenced to a two-year restraining order against one of his victims. The verdict was handed down by the Oslo district court on Monday morning, nearly three months since Høiby’s closely watched six-week trial.