Norway’s crown princess’s son convicted of rape and sentenced to prison
Consensus Summary
Marius Borg Høiby, the stepson of Norway’s Crown Prince Haakon and son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit, was convicted of two counts of rape and sentenced to four years in prison by the Oslo district court on June 15, 2026. The verdict followed a trial involving 40 charges, including four counts of rape, assault, drug offences, and breaches of restraining orders, with Høiby acquitted of two rape charges. Prosecutors had sought a seven-year sentence, while defence lawyers argued for acquittal on rape charges and a maximum of 18 months for admitted offences. The case has drawn significant attention, coinciding with the royal family’s struggles, including Mette-Marit’s critical illness and her past association with Jeffrey Epstein. Public opinion surveys showed a decline in support for the monarchy during the trial, though support slightly recovered afterward. Høiby, who pleaded not guilty to the most serious accusations, 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 the Oslo district court on June 15, 2026, for two counts of rape and other offences.
- Høiby was acquitted of two other charges of rape out of the 40 total charges he faced.
- Høiby pleaded not guilty to the most serious accusations, including rape, while admitting to some lesser offences, and can appeal the verdict.
- The trial involved allegations against four women between 2018 and 2024, with claims that they were sleeping or heavily incapacitated during the incidents.
- Høiby’s mother, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, is awaiting a lung transplant due to pulmonary fibrosis and has been critically ill.
- Prosecutors sought a sentence of seven years and seven months, while defence lawyers argued for acquittal on rape charges and a maximum of 18 months for admitted offences.
- Høiby was ordered to pay compensation to Nora Haukland and three other women, and received a two-year restraining order against Haukland.
- Høiby joined the royal family when his mother, Mette-Marit, married Crown Prince Haakon in 2001.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Høiby attended court by video link from Ila prison due to health reasons, according to his defence.
- One charge of violating a restraining order was later overturned.
- The trial began on February 3, 2026, and lasted six weeks.
- The court initially agreed to release Høiby to spend time with his mother but the request was overturned by the court of appeal.
- The rape charges involve four women, with Nora Haukland being the only publicly named victim.
- The trial lasted seven weeks, not six, and included evidence of Høiby’s drug addiction and self-made videos of sexual encounters.
- More than 800 electronic messages were entered into evidence during the trial.
- One alleged rape took place in the basement of the crown prince’s family home.
- A Norstat survey in February 2026 showed monarchy support dropped to 60%, with 27% wanting a different system of governance, later recovering to 64% in May 2026.
- The case coincided with Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s apology for maintaining contact with Jeffrey Epstein after his 2008 conviction.
- Høiby was found guilty of 34 of 40 charges, though the specific breakdown of charges is not detailed.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The Guardian states Høiby was sentenced after a six-week trial, while ABC reports the trial lasted seven weeks.
- The Guardian mentions Høiby was in custody since shortly before the trial began on February 3, 2026, but does not specify the exact duration, while ABC does not provide a start date for the trial.
- ABC notes that one alleged rape took place in the basement of the crown prince’s family home, while the Guardian does not mention this specific location.
Source Articles
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.
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.
Norway crown princess's son sentenced to four years in prison for rape
Twenty-nine-year-old Marius Borg Hoiby was found guilty of 34 of 40 charges.