Norwegian Crown Princess’s Son Convicted on Rape Charges
Marius Borg Høiby, 29, the son of Norway’s Crown Princess Mette‑Marit, has been convicted of two counts of rape and handed a four‑year prison sentence. The Oslo District Court found him guilty of raping two women, one on the Crown Prince’s estate in 2018 and the other in Oslo in 2024, after detailed video evidence and victim testimonies. He also faced convictions for abuse and reckless conduct toward a second partner.
Despite being absent from the proceedings for health reasons, Høiby appeared via video link. Prosecutors had demanded a seven‑year sentence, while his lawyers had requested an 18‑month term and announced plans to appeal. The court, however, ruled that Høiby should serve the full four years and noted the risk of contact with a protected victim.
Under the indictment, six women were named but three court rulings cleared him on two other rape charges. He was convicted of raping women who were asleep or incapacitated at the time of the incident. The victims were aware only after police uncovered the videos on Høby’s phone following his arrest.
The court also fined Høiby 640,000 kroner – roughly 50,000 pounds or 57,000 euros – in compensation to four victims, including influencer Nora Haukland, who was the only woman in the case that could be publicly named.
The verdict was delivered by Judge Jon Sverdrup Efjestad after a 128‑page ruling. The case used video footage as key evidence, locating the victims’ sleep state and lack of resistance. It highlighted a broader frustration in Norwegian society that the courts sometimes fail to deliver justice in rape cases, as noted by criminologist Anja Emilie Kruse.
In the wake of the trial, the Norwegian royal palace issued a brief statement that it would not comment on the verdict or on Crown Princess Mette‑Marit’s ongoing health and lung‑transplant status. The impact on public perception of the royal house was noted by reporters, who also highlighted emerging concerns about the princess’s three‑year friendship with a convicted sex offender.
While the case centers on sexual violence, it underscores a need for accountability and transparency that also applies to institutions governing climate policy. Public trust in those structures—whether royal, judicial, or environmental—is crucial for societal resilience and sustainable futures.
