From palace to prison? A royal faces rape charges that could lock him away for a decade
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Content warning: This article contains details of alleged sexual violence and abuse that may be distressing to readers.
A Norwegian royal once known for his glamorous lifestyle now faced the possibility of a decade behind bars.
Court proceedings revealed accusations spanning years, with claims of assaults carried out while victims slept.
The scandal shook Norway’s royal family—drawing international scrutiny to its most notorious member.
Marius Borg Høiby, 28, son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit and stepson to Crown Prince Haakon, appeared in court on Monday following a police investigation lasting more than a year.
He was charged with 32 offences including rape, sexual assault and bodily harm.
Among the charges were four counts of rape—one involving intercourse and two without—as well as four cases of sexual assault and two of bodily harm.
Prosecutor Sturla Henriksbø told the court: ‘This case is very serious. Rape and violence in close relationships are very serious acts that can leave lasting traces and destroy lives.’
He added: ‘The fact that Marius Borg Hoiby is a member of the royal family should, of course, not mean that he should be treated more lightly or more severely than if similar acts had been committed by others.’
Høiby was also accused of abuse against his ex-partner Nora Haukland and violent behaviour towards another former girlfriend.
If convicted, he could face up to ten years in prison after a six-week trial scheduled for January.
The investigation gathered evidence including text messages, witness statements and findings from police searches.
Authorities said Høiby co-operated during questioning, though his lawyer Petar Sekulic insisted: ‘He is absolutely taking the accusations very seriously, but doesn’t acknowledge any wrongdoing in most of the cases—especially the cases regarding sexual abuse and violence.’
The prince’s arrest history stretched back to August 4 when he allegedly assaulted then-girlfriend Rebecca Helberg Arntsen, who was hospitalised.
Her legal team denied they were in a relationship.
A week later, Høiby released a statement through his lawyer admitting to substance abuse and mental health struggles, saying: ‘Last weekend something happened that should never have happened. I committed bodily harm and destroyed objects in an apartment in the intoxication of alcohol and cocaine after an argument.’
The statement continued: ‘I have several mental disorders which mean that throughout my upbringing and adult life, I have had, and still have, challenges.’
‘The drug use and my diagnoses do not excuse what happened in the apartment at Frogner on the night of Sunday last weekend. I want to be responsible for what I have done, and will explain myself truthfully to the police.’
‘For me, the most important thing is to say sorry to my girlfriend. She deserved neither what happened that night, nor the extreme pressure from both the Norwegian and foreign press afterwards.’
Further allegations surfaced, including claims he raped TV star Linni Meister in 2018 during one of his infamous ‘Skaugum Festival’ parties held at the royal estate while Crown Prince Haakon reportedly slept upstairs.
He was arrested multiple times across 2024 for breaching restraining orders, fresh rape charges, and fears of evidence tampering while in custody.
Police also obtained a video clip allegedly showing him mimicking a slapping gesture while describing how he ‘broke up’ with an ex—footage said to have circulated among 50 people.
This wasn’t the first time the Norwegian royal family found itself under a cloud of scandal.
Before the latest charges, earlier reports revealed the arrest of Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s son following a violent incident.
That case set the stage for the troubling allegations now surrounding him.
Read more: Shocking royal scandal: Norway's crown princess' son in detention—find out why!
The case left a dark shadow over Norway’s royal family—its outcome likely to shape how the public views them for years to come. Do you think this scandal will permanently damage the monarchy’s reputation?
A Norwegian royal once known for his glamorous lifestyle now faced the possibility of a decade behind bars.
Court proceedings revealed accusations spanning years, with claims of assaults carried out while victims slept.
The scandal shook Norway’s royal family—drawing international scrutiny to its most notorious member.
Marius Borg Høiby, 28, son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit and stepson to Crown Prince Haakon, appeared in court on Monday following a police investigation lasting more than a year.
He was charged with 32 offences including rape, sexual assault and bodily harm.
Among the charges were four counts of rape—one involving intercourse and two without—as well as four cases of sexual assault and two of bodily harm.
Norwegian prince faces 32 serious criminal charges. Image source: Instagram/mwilliamsthomas
Prosecutor Sturla Henriksbø told the court: ‘This case is very serious. Rape and violence in close relationships are very serious acts that can leave lasting traces and destroy lives.’
He added: ‘The fact that Marius Borg Hoiby is a member of the royal family should, of course, not mean that he should be treated more lightly or more severely than if similar acts had been committed by others.’
Høiby was also accused of abuse against his ex-partner Nora Haukland and violent behaviour towards another former girlfriend.
If convicted, he could face up to ten years in prison after a six-week trial scheduled for January.
The investigation gathered evidence including text messages, witness statements and findings from police searches.
Authorities said Høiby co-operated during questioning, though his lawyer Petar Sekulic insisted: ‘He is absolutely taking the accusations very seriously, but doesn’t acknowledge any wrongdoing in most of the cases—especially the cases regarding sexual abuse and violence.’
The prince’s arrest history stretched back to August 4 when he allegedly assaulted then-girlfriend Rebecca Helberg Arntsen, who was hospitalised.
Her legal team denied they were in a relationship.
A week later, Høiby released a statement through his lawyer admitting to substance abuse and mental health struggles, saying: ‘Last weekend something happened that should never have happened. I committed bodily harm and destroyed objects in an apartment in the intoxication of alcohol and cocaine after an argument.’
The statement continued: ‘I have several mental disorders which mean that throughout my upbringing and adult life, I have had, and still have, challenges.’
‘The drug use and my diagnoses do not excuse what happened in the apartment at Frogner on the night of Sunday last weekend. I want to be responsible for what I have done, and will explain myself truthfully to the police.’
‘For me, the most important thing is to say sorry to my girlfriend. She deserved neither what happened that night, nor the extreme pressure from both the Norwegian and foreign press afterwards.’
Further allegations surfaced, including claims he raped TV star Linni Meister in 2018 during one of his infamous ‘Skaugum Festival’ parties held at the royal estate while Crown Prince Haakon reportedly slept upstairs.
He was arrested multiple times across 2024 for breaching restraining orders, fresh rape charges, and fears of evidence tampering while in custody.
Police also obtained a video clip allegedly showing him mimicking a slapping gesture while describing how he ‘broke up’ with an ex—footage said to have circulated among 50 people.
This wasn’t the first time the Norwegian royal family found itself under a cloud of scandal.
Before the latest charges, earlier reports revealed the arrest of Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s son following a violent incident.
That case set the stage for the troubling allegations now surrounding him.
Read more: Shocking royal scandal: Norway's crown princess' son in detention—find out why!
The case left a dark shadow over Norway’s royal family—its outcome likely to shape how the public views them for years to come. Do you think this scandal will permanently damage the monarchy’s reputation?
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