Norwegian Royal's Son Marius Borg Høiby Charged with Rape, Sexual Assault and Bodily Harm in Ongoing Criminal Case
- Victor Nwoko
- 5 hours ago
- 2 min read
Oslo police have formally charged Marius Borg Høiby, the eldest son of Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit, with multiple serious criminal offenses following an extensive investigation. The charges include multiple counts of rape, sexual assault, and bodily harm, involving a "double-digit" number of alleged victims.
Høiby, 28, is the son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit and the stepson of Crown Prince Haakon, heir to the Norwegian throne. He has been under police scrutiny since 2024, when he was repeatedly arrested in connection with accusations of rape and preliminary charges of bodily harm and criminal damage.
During a press briefing on Friday, Oslo Police Attorney Andreas Kruszewski confirmed the charges and stated that Høiby has cooperated with investigators throughout the process. He also disclosed that evidence in the case includes text messages, witness statements, and findings from police searches.
Specifically, Høiby is charged with one count of rape involving intercourse, two counts of rape without intercourse, four counts of sexual assault, and two counts of bodily harm. Authorities did not disclose the total number of victims but confirmed it involved more than ten individuals.
"I cannot go into further detail about the number of victims in the case beyond confirming that it is a double-digit number," said Kruszewski.
Defense attorney Petar Sekulic, in a written statement, said Høiby is “absolutely taking the accusations very seriously,” but maintains his innocence in most of the cases, particularly those involving allegations of sexual abuse and violence.
The Norwegian royal palace has not issued a statement in response to the charges.
The developments have generated widespread media coverage in Norway, where the royal family remains widely admired. Høiby previously resided with the royal couple and their children, Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus, but now lives independently nearby, according to his lawyer.
Høiby has not been detained and remains free pending potential trial proceedings. He is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
His mother, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, drew international attention in 2001 when she married Crown Prince Haakon as a single mother with a controversial past that included a former partner with drug convictions. The couple’s marriage marked a shift in the public perception of Norway's royal family as more modern and inclusive.
As the case unfolds, the royal household and national institutions face mounting public pressure to address the implications of the charges, both legally and reputationally.
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