Full Breakdown
Crown Princess’s Son Sentenced to Four Years for Rape
6/15/2026, 9:38:40 PM
Verdict and Sentencing
On 15 June 2026 Oslo District Court sentenced Marius Borg Høiby, the 29-year-old son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit, to four years in prison after convicting him of two rapes and several other offences. He was ordered to pay 640,000 kroner to four women, including Nora Haukland, and received a two-year restraining order. Høiby appeared by video link from Ila prison for health reasons.
Background and Legal Context
Høiby joined the royal household when his mother married Crown Prince Haakon in 2001. He faced 40 charges of rape, domestic violence, drug offences and restraining-order breaches. The prosecution sought seven years and seven months; the defence asked for up to 18 months for the admitted offences. The six-week trial ran from early February to mid-March 2026 as Crown Princess Mette-Marit was placed on a lung-transplant list for pulmonary fibrosis.
Timeline
Key dates: 3 Feb 2026 – custody; 4 Feb 2026 – trial start; 19 Mar 2026 – trial end; 15 Jun 2026 – verdict; June 2026 – appeal court denies temporary release.
Charges and Compensation
The court convicted Høiby of two rapes – at Skaugum in 2018 and in Oslo in 2024 – and of assaulting former girlfriend Nora Haukland. He was also found guilty of drug possession, traffic violations and reckless conduct toward a sixth woman; one restraining-order breach was overturned. Compensation of 640,000 kroner was ordered for four victims.
Official Statements and Judicial Reasoning
Prosecutor Sturla Henriksbo said the victims were “asleep or incapacitated” and characterised Høiby as believing he could act without restraint. Defence lawyer Petar Sekulic reiterated the request for compassionate release on health grounds. Judge Jon Sverdrup Efjestad concluded the evidence showed the victim could not have consented. The royal household declined to comment.
Impact and Public Reaction
Political scientist Ketil Raknes called the case and the earlier Epstein controversy a “perfect crisis” for the monarchy. A Norstat poll during the trial showed support fell to a record low of 60 percent, later rising to 64 percent after the verdict. Critics say the trial exposed a gap between the royal family’s public image and private challenges; supporters cite the courts’ impartiality.
Verbatim Quotes
- “who thinks he can do whatever he wants” — Sturla Henriksbo, prosecutor
- “The court finds it is proven she was not able to resist the action,” — Jon Sverdrup Efjestad, judge
- “Marius Borg Høiby is not a member of the Royal House of Norway and is therefore autonomous,” — Crown Prince Haakon
- “I was getting more and more tired. I felt like I was just lying there, and he just wouldn’t stop,” — Victim, February testimony
Conflicting Reports and Gaps
Some reports say six women were involved, while the court identified four victims for compensation and only one testified. Høiby’s health reasons for video-link attendance are described as “unspecified,” leaving the precise medical justification unclear.
