Norwegian royal charged with rape in case with 'double-digit' victims, police say
Marius Borg Høiby is the the eldest son of Norway’s crown princess
Oslo police on Friday announced charges against Marius Borg Høiby, the eldest son of Norway's crown princess, on multiple counts, including rape, sexual assault and bodily harm, after a months-long investigation of a case that involved a "double-digit" number of alleged victims.
Høiby, the son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit and stepson of the heir to the throne, Crown Prince Haakon, has been under scrutiny since he was repeatedly arrested in 2024 amid allegations of rape and on preliminary charges of bodily harm and criminal damage.
Oslo Police attorney Andreas Kruszewski said Høiby was co-operative during police questioning, which is now complete. Evidence in the case was drawn from sources that included text messages, witness testimonies and police searches, the lawyer said.
The charges included one case of rape involving intercourse and two cases of rape without intercourse, four cases of sexual assault and two cases of bodily harm, Kruszewksi said at a news conference.
"I cannot go into further detail about the number of victims in the case beyond confirming that it is a double-digit number," he said.
Defence lawyer Petar Sekulic, in an email to The Associated Press, said Høiby was "absolutely taking the accusations very seriously, but doesn't acknowledge any wrongdoing in most of the cases — especially the cases regarding sexual abuse and violence."
No response from palace
The royal palace did not immediately respond to an email request from the AP seeking comment. The palace was quoted by the Norwegian newswire NTB saying it would not comment while the case winds its way through the "normal procedures."
The case was top news in Norway, where the royals are popular.
Høiby, 28, previously lived with the royal couple and their two children, Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus, but now lives in a separate house nearby, according to Sekulic.
Høiby remains free pending a possible trial and is entitled to a presumption of innocence until a court rules otherwise.
Once known affectionately as "Little Marius," Høiby grew up in the public eye, enjoying the same wealth and privilege as his royal siblings, although his biological father, Morton Borg, served time in prison for drugs and violent offences. Høiby has acknowledged cocaine use and addiction.
Norway's future queen made headlines in 2001 when she married Haakon because she was a single mother who had lived a freewheeling life with a companion who had been convicted on drug charges.
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