Charges Filed Against Marius Borg Høiby, Son of Norway's Crown Princess, for Multiple Sexual Crimes

The Oslo police reported on Friday that Marius Borg Høiby has been formally charged with serious offenses, including rape and sexual assault, following extensive investigations that reportedly discovered a double-digit number of alleged victims. Høiby, at 28 years old, is the son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit and the stepson of Crown Prince Haakon, and he has faced legal scrutiny since 2024 when he was arrested several times in connection with claims of sexual violence and preliminary charges of bodily harm.

Oslo Police Attorney Andreas Kruszewski stated that Høiby was forthcoming during police questioning, which has now concluded. Investigators have gathered substantial evidence from various sources, such as text messages, witness accounts, and police searches. The charges against him include one instance of rape involving intercourse, two instances without intercourse, four counts of sexual assault, and two cases of bodily harm. Kruszewski emphasized the significant number of alleged victims but refrained from providing further details.

Defending Høiby, attorney Petar Sekulic conveyed that Høiby is taking the allegations seriously but does not recognize wrongdoing in most instances, particularly in relation to charges of sexual abuse and violence. In response to the situation, the royal palace has stated it is following normal legal procedures and refrained from further comment.

This high-profile case has attracted intense public interest in Norway, where the royal family is well-regarded. Høiby used to reside with the royal family and their children, but now lives independently close by. He remains free as the case progresses, holding the presumption of innocence until a court outcome is reached. Known affectionately in his childhood as “Little Marius,” he grew up enjoying the privileges associated with royalty despite having a troubled family background, including an imprisoned father with a history of drug and violent offenses. Høiby has openly acknowledged his own struggles with cocaine use and addiction. Meanwhile, the Crown Princess had previously attracted attention for her unconventional life choices before marrying Crown Prince Haakon in 2001.