Norway crown princess’ son arrested ahead of trial on rape, violence and drug charges — Who is Marius Borg Høiby?
The eldest son of Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit will face trial this week on multiple charges, including rape, domestic abuse and drug offences, in a high-profile case that has put the country’s royal family under intense public scrutiny.
Oslo: The eldest son of Norway’s Crown Princess has been arrested just days before his trial is set to begin on serious criminal charges, including rape, in a case that has deeply embarrassed the country’s royal family, police said on Monday, according to the Associated Press.
Marius Borg Høiby was taken into custody on Sunday evening and is now accused of assault, making threats with a knife and violating a restraining order, police said in a statement. Authorities have sought four weeks of detention, citing the risk of reoffending.
Høiby, 29, is scheduled to go on trial on Tuesday at the Oslo District Court. Prosecutors have filed an indictment containing 38 charges, including rape, abuse in a close relationship involving a former partner, acts of violence against another woman and transporting 3.5kg of marijuana. Additional charges include making death threats and traffic violations.
He had been under sustained police scrutiny since 2024, when he was repeatedly arrested over various allegations. Although he was formally indicted in August, he had remained free pending trial until his arrest this weekend.
Who is Marius Borg Høiby?
Høiby is the son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit from a previous relationship and the stepson of Norway’s heir to the throne, Crown Prince Haakon. He does not hold a royal title and has no official duties.
The indictment focuses on four alleged rapes between 2018 and November 2024, alleged violence and threats against a former partner between mid-2022 and late 2023, and two alleged acts of violence against another partner, along with repeated breaches of a restraining order.
Høiby’s defence team has said he denies all charges of sexual abuse and most of the allegations related to violence.
Last week, Crown Prince Haakon said that he and Crown Princess Mette-Marit do not plan to attend the court proceedings and that the royal household will refrain from commenting while the trial is underway. He stressed that Høiby is not a member of the royal house and, as a Norwegian citizen, is subject to the same legal responsibilities and rights as anyone else.
While Norway’s monarchy generally enjoys strong public support, the case has cast a shadow over its image. The trial also coincides with renewed scrutiny of Crown Princess Mette-Marit over her past contacts with Jeffrey Epstein, following the release of new documents linked to the Epstein files, AP reported.
Norwegian media said the documents include email exchanges and references to the crown princess, who acknowledged in 2019 that she regretted having any contact with Epstein. The royal household confirmed that she had stayed at one of Epstein’s properties in Florida in 2013 through a mutual acquaintance.
In a statement, Mette-Marit said she deeply regretted her poor judgment and expressed solidarity with Epstein’s victims.
The royal family has also faced criticism over other controversies, including the business ventures of Haakon’s sister, Princess Märtha Louise, who married American self-styled shaman Durek Verrett in 2024.