The son of Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit has been sentenced to four years in prison after being convicted of two counts of rape, in a verdict that has sent shockwaves through the Norwegian royal family and reignited national debate about consent, domestic violence and the monarchy's future.

Marius Borg Høiby, 29, was found guilty on Monday by Oslo District Court of two counts of rape, serious bodily harm, abuse in close relationships, physical assault and a string of other offences — 34 in total from an original charge sheet of 40. He was acquitted of two further rape charges. His defence lawyers confirmed within hours that he would appeal against the verdict.

What the Court Found

The six-week trial, which concluded nearly three months before Monday's ruling, centred on allegations involving six women spanning a period from 2018 to 2024. All four rape charges involved women who had been asleep or heavily incapacitated at the time, and who only became aware of what had happened after police discovered videos on Høiby's phone.

Marius Borg Høiby in a tuxedo with bow tie seated next to Crown Princess Mette-Marit, who is applauding, at a formal event with glasses of beverage on the table.

Among the most serious findings was the rape of a woman at the Skaugum estate — the official residence of Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit — in December 2018. Delivering the verdict, Judge Jon Sverdrup Efjestad was unequivocal about what the video evidence showed.

"She has closed her eyes, lies in the same position over time and shows no reactions to touch or stimulation. There are no sounds or movements that indicate she is awake."

Høiby was also convicted of raping a second woman in Oslo in March 2024, and of abusing his former girlfriend, Norwegian influencer Nora Haukland — the only victim to have been publicly named. He was ordered to pay Haukland and three other women a combined total of 640,000 kroner (approximately £50,000) in compensation, and a two-year restraining order was imposed in relation to one of his victims.

Marius Borg Høiby wearing a black puffer jacket, white hoodie, and cap stands next to a gray car in front of a white building with text.

Prosecutors had sought a sentence of seven years and seven months. His defence had argued for no more than 18 months, maintaining his innocence on the rape charges throughout.

A Shadow Over the Palace

Though Høiby holds no royal title, he has been part of Norway's royal world since childhood. His mother married Crown Prince Haakon in 2001, when Høiby was just four years old, and he grew up at the centre of the family. The palace confirmed on Monday that it would not be commenting on the verdict — a position it has maintained throughout the trial.

The case has landed at a deeply painful moment for the royal family. Crown Princess Mette-Marit is seriously ill with pulmonary fibrosis and has recently been placed on a lung transplant waiting list.

Court sketch of Marius Borg Høiby wearing glasses and a dark jacket, seated at a courtroom desk with arms crossed near a microphone and water pitcher.
A courtroom sketch depicts Marius Borg Høiby during proceedings related to the criminal case against him.

Høiby's lawyers made repeated attempts to have him released from custody to spend time with her, and Oslo District Court briefly granted that request last week — only for it to be overturned by the court of appeal. After Monday's verdict, his defence lawyer Petar Sekulic again asked the court for his release.

The trial has also coincided with fresh scrutiny of Mette-Marit herself, following her apology for exercising what she called "poor judgement" in maintaining contact with the late American sex offender Jeffrey Epstein after his conviction in 2008.

Public Confidence on the Slide

The cumulative effect on public opinion has been striking. A Norstat survey taken during the trial in February showed support for the Norwegian monarchy falling to a record low of 60%, down from 70% in January, with those favouring a different system of governance rising from 19% to 27%. By May, those figures had partially recovered — 64% in favour of the monarchy, 23% against — but the case has undeniably damaged an institution that once enjoyed near-universal affection.'

Two prosecutors, a man in a suit and tie and a woman in a black blazer, speaking to a crowd of reporters holding microphones and cameras outside a building.

Prosecutor Sturla Henriksbø acknowledged the inherent difficulty of cases like this one.

"Evaluating evidence in rape cases is difficult, and that is also the reason why a third of all rape charges in Norway end in acquittal."

Høiby attended the verdict by video link from Ila prison — his defence cited health reasons — and was not visible on screen in the courtroom. Only one of the women at the centre of the case was present in person. She was seen crying as the judge confirmed Høiby had been found guilty of raping her, and dabbed her eyes with a tissue passed to her by her lawyer.

With an appeal now likely and Mette-Marit's health in decline, Norway's royal family faces a prolonged and painful period in the spotlight — one that shows little sign of easing any time soon.