The Oslo police announced on Friday that Marius Borg Hoiby, 28, has been formally charged with multiple counts of rape and sexual assault, concluding an extensive investigation that has sent shockwaves through Norway's royal family. The charges come after Hoiby, the son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit and stepson of Crown Prince Haakon, was first arrested last August on allegations of causing bodily harm and property damage.
Details from the police reveal that Hoiby has faced multiple arrests—once in August and again in subsequent months—for various suspicions including rape. Officers conducted thorough interviews with witnesses and analyzed extensive digital evidence throughout the investigation.
Hoiby's lawyer, Petar Sekulic, emphasized that while his client takes the allegations seriously, he does not acknowledge wrongdoing regarding most sexual abuse and violence allegations. He has expressed hope for Hoiby’s acquittal should the case proceed to trial.
Marius Borg Hoiby has a complex family background as he was just four when his mother married the heir to the throne in 2001. Despite his royal connections, he does not hold a royal title or perform official duties. The revised charges against him include counts of rape—both with and without intercourse—alongside various other allegations of sexual misconduct, harassment, and violations of restraining orders.
In a previously issued statement to Norwegian broadcaster NRK, he admitted to committing bodily harm and damaging property under the influence of drugs, vowing to seek help for his substance abuse issues. The prosecutor's office now faces the task of deciding whether to formally indict Hoiby in the upcoming months.
