Marius Borg Hoiby , the 28-year-old son of Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit, has been charged with raping four women and committing several acts of violence, prosecutors announced on Monday. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison.
Hoiby, born from Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s relationship prior to her marriage to Crown Prince Haakon, was first arrested on August 4, 2023, over allegations of assaulting a girlfriend. Since then, investigators have expanded the probe, uncovering a string of serious charges.
According to public prosecutor Sturla Henriksbo, Hoiby is accused of raping four women while they were asleep. In at least three cases, he had consensual sex with the women before the alleged assaults later the same day. He is also charged with secretly filming their genitals without consent. “These are very serious acts that can leave lasting scars and destroy lives,” Henriksbo said, adding that investigators have photographs and video clips as evidence.
The alleged rapes took place in 2018, 2023, and 2024, including one after the investigation had already begun. In addition, Hoiby faces charges of domestic abuse against a former partner, disturbing the peace, vandalism, restraining order violations, and several counts of violence.
The only named victim in the indictment is Hoiby’s ex-girlfriend, reality TV star Nora Haukland , whom he allegedly abused physically and psychologically in 2022 and 2023. Prosecutors said he repeatedly hit her in the face, including with a clenched fist, kicked her, choked her, and grabbed her violently.
The Royal Palace has refused to comment on the charges beyond a brief statement. “It is for the courts to consider this matter and reach a decision,” palace spokeswoman Sara Svanemyr said. Prosecutors stressed that Hoiby will not be treated differently because of his royal connection.
Hoiby has admitted to assault and vandalism in the August 2023 incident, attributing his actions to alcohol and cocaine use, coupled with “mental troubles” and long-term substance abuse. Following his arrest, he spent a week in custody — an unprecedented situation for a member of Norway’s royal family — before reportedly seeking rehabilitation in London.
Raised partly in the royal household alongside his half-siblings Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus, Hoiby has long attracted controversy. Commentators describe him as being caught between royal privilege and personal turmoil, living in what has been called a “gilded cage.” Over the years, he has been linked to gang members, Hells Angels bikers, and figures in Oslo’s Albanian mafia, and had earlier brushes with the law, including a 2017 cocaine arrest at a music festival.
The trial is expected to be one of the most closely watched legal proceedings in Norway in recent memory, with the royal family maintaining a distance as the case moves forward.
Hoiby, born from Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s relationship prior to her marriage to Crown Prince Haakon, was first arrested on August 4, 2023, over allegations of assaulting a girlfriend. Since then, investigators have expanded the probe, uncovering a string of serious charges.
According to public prosecutor Sturla Henriksbo, Hoiby is accused of raping four women while they were asleep. In at least three cases, he had consensual sex with the women before the alleged assaults later the same day. He is also charged with secretly filming their genitals without consent. “These are very serious acts that can leave lasting scars and destroy lives,” Henriksbo said, adding that investigators have photographs and video clips as evidence.
The alleged rapes took place in 2018, 2023, and 2024, including one after the investigation had already begun. In addition, Hoiby faces charges of domestic abuse against a former partner, disturbing the peace, vandalism, restraining order violations, and several counts of violence.
The only named victim in the indictment is Hoiby’s ex-girlfriend, reality TV star Nora Haukland , whom he allegedly abused physically and psychologically in 2022 and 2023. Prosecutors said he repeatedly hit her in the face, including with a clenched fist, kicked her, choked her, and grabbed her violently.
The Royal Palace has refused to comment on the charges beyond a brief statement. “It is for the courts to consider this matter and reach a decision,” palace spokeswoman Sara Svanemyr said. Prosecutors stressed that Hoiby will not be treated differently because of his royal connection.
Hoiby has admitted to assault and vandalism in the August 2023 incident, attributing his actions to alcohol and cocaine use, coupled with “mental troubles” and long-term substance abuse. Following his arrest, he spent a week in custody — an unprecedented situation for a member of Norway’s royal family — before reportedly seeking rehabilitation in London.
Raised partly in the royal household alongside his half-siblings Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus, Hoiby has long attracted controversy. Commentators describe him as being caught between royal privilege and personal turmoil, living in what has been called a “gilded cage.” Over the years, he has been linked to gang members, Hells Angels bikers, and figures in Oslo’s Albanian mafia, and had earlier brushes with the law, including a 2017 cocaine arrest at a music festival.
The trial is expected to be one of the most closely watched legal proceedings in Norway in recent memory, with the royal family maintaining a distance as the case moves forward.
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