A Norwegian court on Monday handed down a four-year prison sentence to Marius Borg Høiby, the eldest son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit, following his conviction on rape and assault charges. The 29-year-old was found guilty of two out of four rape allegations brought against him, with a jury clearing him of the remaining two counts. He was also convicted of assault and abuse in intimate relationships, and ordered to provide monetary compensation to his victims.
Highby faced accusations that he sexually assaulted four women who were asleep or incapacitated between 2018 and 2024. The broader case encompassed 40 criminal charges spanning various offenses ranging from drug-related violations to breaches of a restraining order. Though he denied the rape allegations, Høiby conceded to numerous lesser charges during proceedings.
The Oslo District Court's ruling fell between positions staked out by both sides of the case. Prosecutors had sought a sentence of seven years and seven months, while the defense counsel contended he should be acquitted of rape allegations entirely and face no more than 18 months for admitted offenses. Høiby, absent from the courtroom due to health concerns, received notification of the verdict through a video connection from his prison cell.
A six-week trial that wrapped up in March involved testimony from multiple accusers alongside evidence including digital communications and recordings retrieved from Høiby's phone. The case remains subject to appeal, meaning the sentence is not yet definitive. Norwegian courts previously rejected applications for his temporary release pending the verdict.
The trial has drawn worldwide scrutiny partly due to Høiby's connection to Norway's heir to the throne, though he holds no royal title and carries no official responsibilities. He is the son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit from a prior relationship before her marriage to Crown Prince Haakon. Recent proceedings have coincided with increased media attention regarding Mette-Marit's health, as she manages pulmonary fibrosis while on a lung transplant waiting list.
The case has unfolded against a backdrop of renewed examination of the royal family following revelations about the crown princess's past interactions with deceased financier Jeffrey Epstein. Mette-Marit has issued a public statement expressing regret for the association and acknowledging poor judgment in continuing contact with him. She faces no allegations of misconduct in connection with the matter.
