Norway Crown Princess’s Son Faces Verdict in Rape Trial

Sun Jun 14 2026 09:08:29 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Marius Borg Høiby will hear the sentence on Monday via video link after a long, high‑profile trial involving accusations of rape, drug offences and violence against his mother’s former girlfriend.

Norway’s court has scheduled a verdict on the rape trial of Marius Borg Høiby, the 29‑year‑old son of Crown Princess Mette‑Marit. The case stems from 40 charges, including four counts of rape and drug trafficking. While prosecutors seek a jail term of 7 years and 7 months, Høiby's lawyers argue for a much lighter sentence. Høiby, who has been in custody since February, will participate via video link for health reasons and is expected to remain imprisoned for the full period. The trial has reignited scrutiny of the Norwegian royal family amid Mette‑Marit’s recent critical illness and her pending lung transplant.

Norway Crown Princess’s Son Faces Verdict in Rape Trial

A verdict is expected this Monday in Oslo District Court as the Crown Princess’s son, Marius Borg Høiby, faces a sentencing decision over 40 charges that include four allegations of rape, drug trafficking and violent assault.

Høiby, 29, had completed his trial in early November. He will participate via video link for unspecified health reasons, and the court has kept him in custody since February following his initial arrest on suspicion of assault and violating a restraining order against an ex‑girlfriend.

Prosecutors are demanding a combined sentence of 7 years and 7 months, while Høiby’s defense team seeks a one‑and‑a‑half‑year term, reflecting the split views on the severity of the offences. The counts also cover traffic, drug possession of 3.5 kg of marijuana, reckless driving and a breach of a court‑ordered restraining order.

The alleged rapes involved four women, all of whom were given anonymity by the court. One victim, a well‑known influencer named Nora Haukland, was not afforded anonymity and appeared publicly after giving testimony, drawing media attention to the case.

Høiby’s accusations centre on incidents that allegedly happened when the victims were asleep or incapacitated after consensual sexual encounters. The prosecution claims one of the encounters involved sexual intercourse and that the defendant’s actions amounted to non‑consensual sex.

The trial has cast a shadow on Norway’s royal household. Crown Princess Mette‑Marit, who has been admitted to the lung‑transplant list, has largely stayed away from court and has been seen visiting her son in prison. The royal couple’s public appearances have been reduced, and the transition to the next monarch is already being discussed with some media saying it is an “institutional crisis” of trust.

Public sentiment in Norway remains divided. While a portion of the population sympathises with the Crown Princess’s ill condition, many are uneasy about the royal family’s involvement in the case. The lack of a joint interview and the two‑month absence from public duties for Crown Prince Haakon have raised additional scrutiny.

When the verdict is read, the room will have an intimate and tense atmosphere. The Judgment, delivered by three judges early on Monday, will bring an end to a story that began with Høiby’s arrest in August 2024, but it will not eliminate the family tensions that have been present for decades.