Norwegian royal's son sentenced to four years for rape convictions
Marius Borg Hoiby, the eldest son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit, received a four-year prison term after being found guilty of two rape counts and numerous other offenses.
Oslo District Court sentenced Marius Borg Hoiby, 29, to four years in prison on Monday after convicting him of two rape charges and 32 additional offenses, including assault and abuse in close relationships. He was found guilty of two of the four rape counts he faced and acquitted of the other two, while also being ordered to pay compensation to the victims.
The court heard that Hoiby had sexually assaulted four women who were asleep or otherwise unable to resist between 2018 and 2024. He faced a total of 40 criminal charges, ranging from the serious rape allegations to lesser offenses such as drug-related crimes and violations of a restraining order. Hoiby denied the rape accusations but admitted to several of the lesser offenses.
Prosecutors had sought a sentence of seven years and seven months, whereas his defense argued for acquittal on the rape charges and a maximum of 18 months for the offenses he admitted. The sentence is not final; Hoiby may appeal.
"It is only natural to consider appealing the serious charges for which he was convicted and which he did not admit," defense lawyer Ellen Holager Andenaes told AFP. Prosecutor Sturla Henriksbo described the verdict as "a victory for our justice system," adding that it shows "no one is beyond the law, despite who you are and who you are related to."
Hoiby was absent from the courtroom for health reasons and watched the verdict being read via video link from prison. The six-week trial, which concluded in March, featured testimony from multiple accusers and evidence from Hoiby’s cellphone, including messages, images and videos.
The case has drawn international attention because of Hoiby’s connection to Norway’s royal family. He is the son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit from a relationship prior to her marriage to Crown Prince Haakon, and was raised in the royal household, though he holds no official title. The legal proceedings have coincided with the crown princess’s deteriorating health; appeals courts have ruled that Hoiby must remain detained while awaiting further judgment.