Son of Norwegian crown princess jailed for rape

The son of Norwegian Crown Princess Mette-Marit has been sentenced to four years in prison for rape. The verdict comes as the country’s monarchy has been caught up in an ongoing scandal over the princess’ links to late US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Marius Borg Hoiby, 29, was found guilty on Monday by the Oslo District Court of two counts of rape, domestic violence, and several other offenses. He was acquitted of two other rape charges.

Hoiby is Mette-Marit’s son from a relationship before she married Crown Prince Haakon, heir to the Norwegian throne, in 2001. According to Norwegian media, Hoiby’s father, Morten Borg, also has a criminal past and was convicted on drug-related offenses in the 1990s and was reportedly in prison around the time of Marius’ birth.

Although Hoiby holds no royal title and performs no official duties, he grew up inside the royal household alongside his half-siblings, and this proximity to the royal family has brought international attention to the case.

The trial has exposed allegations of drug abuse, violent relationships, and sexual misconduct, contradicting the polished image of one of Europe’s more low-key monarchies.

Prosecutors said Hoiby sexually assaulted women who were asleep or otherwise unable to resist between 2018 and 2024. One of the rapes for which he was convicted reportedly took place in the basement of Skaugum, the official residence of Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit.

The court also convicted him of abusing his former girlfriend, assaulting another partner, drug offenses, and traffic violations. He denied the rape charges while admitting to cocaine use and assault.

Crown Prince Haakon has tried to distance the royal house from the case, saying Hoiby is not a member of the royal family and is accountable like any other Norwegian citizen.