Serious Charges Filed Against Son of Norway’s Crown Princess
Marius Borg Høiby, the eldest son of Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit and stepson of Crown Prince Haakon, has been formally charged with multiple serious offenses following a months-long police investigation. Oslo police announced on Friday, June 27, 2025, that the charges include counts of rape, sexual assault, and bodily harm.
The indictment represents a significant legal development concerning a figure closely associated with the Norwegian royal family and has drawn considerable media attention in the country.
Details of the Allegations and Investigation
According to Oslo Police Attorney Andreas Kruszewski, the investigation uncovered a “double-digit” number of alleged victims. While a specific number was not disclosed, this figure highlights the scale of the case.
The formal charges filed against Høiby, 28, include a detailed breakdown:
One count of rape involving intercourse.
Two counts of rape without intercourse.
Four counts of sexual assault.
Two counts of bodily harm.
The charges stem from an extensive investigation that reportedly involved gathering evidence from various sources, including text messages, witness testimonies, and findings from police searches. Police stated that Høiby was cooperative during questioning.
Background and Legal Status
This formal charging follows a period where Marius Borg Høiby had been under scrutiny, having been repeatedly arrested in 2024 in connection with preliminary allegations of rape, bodily harm, and criminal damage, which initiated the extended investigation.
Høiby’s defense attorney, Petar Sekulic, stated that his client is taking the accusations “absolutely very seriously.” However, Sekulic added that Høiby “doesn’t acknowledge any wrongdoing in most of the cases,” specifically disputing the allegations concerning “sexual abuse and violence.”
Marius Borg Høiby was born from Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s relationship before her marriage to Crown Prince Haakon, the heir to the throne, in 2001. While he was raised alongside his stepsiblings, Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus, he holds no official royal title and does not have a public role within the monarchy. Though he previously resided with the Crown Prince and Princess, his defense attorney confirmed he now lives in a separate house located nearby.
The Norwegian royal palace has not issued a public comment regarding the charges.
Despite the seriousness of the indictment, Marius Borg Høiby remains free pending a possible trial. Under Norwegian law, he is entitled to a presumption of innocence until a court reaches a ruling on the matter. Charges of rape alone can carry potential prison sentences of up to 15 years per count, underscoring the gravity of the case. A timeline for when a trial might begin has not yet been provided.
