A court in Oslo has sentenced Marius Borg Høiby, the step-son of Norway’s Crown Prince, to four years in prison after finding him guilty of multiple criminal offenses, including rape, violence and drug-related crimes.
According to the court’s ruling, the 29-year-old was convicted on 34 of the 40 charges brought against him.
The convictions include two counts of rape, violence against a former partner, drug-related offenses and violations of court orders.
The court said Høiby was found guilty in two rape cases but acquitted on two other rape-related charges.
The verdict follows a seven-week trial that attracted widespread attention across Norway and became one of the country’s most closely followed legal proceedings in recent months.
Prosecutors told the court that four women had accused Høiby of rape and alleged that some of the victims were unable to resist or defend themselves at the time of the incidents.
During the trial, investigators examined evidence related to drug use, private videos and hundreds of messages linked to Høiby’s personal relationships.
Høiby denied the most serious allegations throughout the proceedings. However, he admitted to certain offenses, including the transportation of 3.5 kilograms of marijuana, violating a no-contact order and several traffic-related violations.
Prosecutors had requested a prison sentence of seven years and seven months.
Following the verdict, Høiby’s defense lawyer announced plans to appeal the ruling.
Marius Borg Høiby is the son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit from a previous relationship. Although he holds no royal title and has no official role within Norway’s monarchy, his close connection to the royal family has kept him in the public spotlight for many years.
The case has generated significant public debate in Norway, with widespread media coverage focusing on the allegations, the judicial process and the broader implications for public figures linked to the royal family.
