OSLO, Norway — A Norwegian court announced Monday it will issue its decision next month in the criminal case against the stepson of Norway’s future king, who faces serious charges including rape that have brought unwanted attention to the royal family.
The Oslo District Court scheduled June 15 as the date for announcing the verdict in the prosecution of Marius Borg Høiby.
Following six weeks of legal proceedings that concluded March 19, prosecutors have requested a prison term of seven years and seven months for Høiby, who maintains his innocence regarding the rape accusations.
The 29-year-old defendant is Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s son from an earlier relationship and serves as stepson to Crown Prince Haakon, who stands in line to inherit Norway’s throne. Authorities have brought 40 criminal charges against him, including four separate rape counts spanning from 2018 through 2024.
Legal representatives for Høiby, who holds no royal status or ceremonial responsibilities, argued that prosecutors lack sufficient evidence to prove the rape allegations. The defendant has acknowledged guilt for various minor infractions, including possessing illegal drugs, transporting 3.5 kilograms of marijuana in 2020, violating traffic laws, and breaking court-ordered restrictions regarding a former romantic partner. He has also partially confessed to certain violent acts and making threats while challenging crucial elements of those accusations, particularly regarding his intentions.
Høiby’s legal team contends that an 18-month maximum sentence would be fitting for the offenses he has accepted responsibility for. They maintained that their client has endured exceptional media scrutiny because of his family ties to royalty, which they claim has influenced how the public views the case.
As this legal drama has unfolded, Mette-Marit has encountered separate criticism this year regarding her past associations with deceased convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. These connections have prompted questions about her decision-making abilities, although she faces no allegations of criminal behavior.
