Marius Borg Hoiby, the eldest son of Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit, has been sentenced to four years in prison. On Monday, a court convicted him of two counts of rape and 32 other offenses. Hoiby faced four rape charges and was found guilty of two, while acquitted of the remaining two charges. Additionally, the court convicted him of assault and abuse in close relationships. Alongside the prison sentence, he must compensate the victims.
Hoiby, age 29, faced charges of sexually assaulting four women, allegedly occurring while the victims were asleep or unable to resist between 2018 and 2024. He faced a total of 40 charges, which included lesser offenses such as assault, drug-related crimes, and violations of a restraining order. Although he denied the rape allegations, he admitted to several minor offenses.
The prosecution had requested a sentence of seven years and seven months, while his defense argued for his acquittal on the rape charges and no more than 18 months for the admitted offenses. The court’s decision may be appealed. “It is only natural to consider appealing the serious charges for which he was convicted and which he did not admit,” stated his lawyer Ellen Holager Andenaes.
“Shows that no one is beyond the law, despite who you are and who you are related to,” said prosecutor Sturla Henriksbo regarding the verdict.
Due to health reasons, Hoiby did not attend the court session but watched the verdict via video link from prison. His trial, spanning six weeks, ended in March with testimony from several accusers and evidence, including messages, images, and videos from his phone.
This case has attracted international attention because of Hoiby’s ties to the royal family. Marius is Mette-Marit’s son from a previous relationship before her marriage to Crown Prince Haakon. Although raised by the royal couple, he holds no official public role or royal title like his step-siblings.
The proceedings have affected Mette-Marit, whose health has worsened throughout the case. She has pulmonary fibrosis and awaits a lung transplant. Debates occurred over whether Hoiby should receive temporary release before the verdict, but appeals courts decided he should stay detained.
The royal family also faces scrutiny due to Mette-Marit’s past association with Jeffrey Epstein, the deceased sex offender. She has apologized, acknowledging poor judgment in keeping contact, but faces no accusations of misconduct herself.