Marius Borg Høiby. The eldest son of Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit, was sentenced to four years in prison after being found guilty of two counts of rape — the convictions followed a trial that examined incidents occurring between 2018 and 2024, often after nights of heavy alcohol and drug use, according to Nuevaradio.

Rape Allegations and Evidence

Detailed in the case was an incident that allegedly took place at the royal couple’s residence. The prosecution argued that Høiby engaged in sexual activity with women who were unconscious or asleep, thus unable to provide consent. In one instance, police reportedly found a video of an alleged rape on Høiby’s phone, according to Kronen Zeitung. The video was said to have been captured on Palm Sunday at the home of a woman in her twenties in Oslo.

Prosecutor Sturla Henriksbo described Høiby as a man who «believes he can act without limits.» The trial debated whether Høiby could reasonably perceive the women’s state of awareness, according to Nuevaradio. Høiby claimed he was «not accustomed to having sex with women while they were asleep.»

Legal Proceedings and Arrests

Høiby was first arrested on August 4, 2024, for allegedly assaulting his then-girlfriend in her Oslo home. Media images showed a knife lodged in a wall and a broken chandelier on the floor, according to Nuevaradio. Since then, he has been arrested three times, with each arrest involving the confiscation of cell phones containing videos of alleged assaults, according to Kronen Zeitung.

On November 6, Høiby was taken into custody again after investigators discovered a video of an alleged rape on his phone. The woman involved in that case did not press charges herself but was identified by the police. Her lawyer told Norwegian media that she was «having a hard time.»

In another case, Høiby’s ex-girlfriend, Juliane Snekkestad, was questioned as a witness in an alleged rape case in Tønsberg. Snekkestad had previously accused Høiby of violence after his first arrest for domestic abuse, according to Kronen Zeitung.

Personal Admissions and Media Pressure

Høiby admitted to a history of mental health struggles and substance abuse. In court, he stated that he was «mainly recognized as my mother’s son and not for anything else.» He said this drove a «strong craving for acknowledgment» and led to «numerous instances of sex, drug use, and heavy drinking.»

He also criticized the media for portraying him as «a monster» and making him «the target of nationwide hatred.» The Crown Princess’s son is from a previous relationship and has been a source of controversy for the royal family, according to Kronen Zeitung.

According to the prosecution, Høiby is accused of violating Section 291 of Norway’s legal code, which addresses rape offenses. The law allows for sentences of up to ten years in prison. Høiby has not appealed his detention following his third arrest, according to Kronen Zeitung.