Norway’s Royal Scandal: Marius Borg Høiby Charged with Rape and Assault Amid Police Probe Involving Multiple Victims
Marius Borg Høiby, Son of Norway’s Crown Princess, Charged with Rape and Assault in Major Legal Scandal
In a case that has shaken Norway's public and stirred national headlines, Marius Borg Høiby — the eldest son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit — has been formally charged with multiple counts of rape, sexual assault, and bodily harm. The charges, announced by Oslo police following an extensive investigation, have cast a shadow over the Norwegian royal family, which remains one of the most respected institutions in the country.
The 28-year-old Høiby, who is not a royal by title but has been closely associated with the monarchy since his mother’s marriage to Crown Prince Haakon in 2001, now faces the most serious allegations ever publicly linked to the royal household.
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A Case That Gripped the Nation
Speaking at a press conference in Oslo on Friday, Police Attorney Andreas Kruszewski confirmed that the police had completed their investigation and formally charged Høiby. “I cannot go into further detail about the number of victims in the case beyond confirming that it is a double-digit number,” Kruszewski said.
The investigation is understood to have spanned several months and included multiple arrests of Høiby throughout 2024. Authorities gathered a substantial volume of evidence through text messages, witness testimonies, and police searches of personal devices and residences.
The charges include one count of rape involving intercourse, two counts of rape without intercourse, four counts of sexual assault, and two counts of bodily harm. These allegations reportedly span across different periods and involve several women, though officials have kept the identities and timelines confidential in order to protect the victims.
Denial and Legal Response
Despite the gravity of the accusations, Høiby is not currently in custody. He remains free pending trial, as per Norwegian law, and is presumed innocent until proven guilty. His legal counsel, attorney Petar Sekulic, told the Associated Press that Høiby is “absolutely taking the accusations very seriously” but denies the charges, especially those related to sexual abuse and violence.
Sekulic indicated that his client would contest the charges in court, and that some of the accusations stemmed from what he described as “misunderstandings and misrepresentations” of consensual interactions.
Public Reaction and Royal Silence
The Norwegian public has been stunned by the developments. Høiby, though not a member of the royal family in a constitutional sense, grew up within the royal household and was often seen in public alongside Crown Prince Haakon and Princess Mette-Marit. He lived at Skaugum, the official residence of the crown couple, with his half-siblings Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus.
As of now, the Royal Palace has not issued an official statement on the charges. However, the monarchy is expected to face increased scrutiny, not only because of its proximity to Høiby but also because of the delicate public trust it holds.
Crown Princess Mette-Marit, who herself faced initial criticism upon her entry into the royal family due to her past as a single mother and her previous partner’s drug conviction, has largely rebuilt public confidence over the years through charitable work and dedication to social causes. The current scandal may place renewed pressure on her and the broader royal institution to address personal and public accountability.
Broader Implications
This case raises difficult questions about how institutions — royal or otherwise — handle allegations of sexual violence when high-profile individuals are involved. In a country like Norway, where gender equality and transparency are deeply valued, the expectation for due process and justice remains paramount.
Advocates for victims of sexual assault have already pointed to the case as a litmus test for how Norwegian society confronts abuse, no matter the status of the accused. “It’s essential that justice be pursued without fear or favour,” said one spokesperson from a Norwegian victim support organisation. “No one is above the law, and that principle must be seen to be upheld.”
What Comes Next
As Høiby awaits trial, legal proceedings are expected to be closely monitored not only by the media but also by a public that prizes fairness, justice, and integrity — particularly from those associated with its royal family.
With the weight of a serious criminal case bearing down on him, and with prosecutors confident in the evidence they’ve collected, the coming months could determine both Høiby’s future and the royal family's public standing.
Until then, Marius Borg Høiby remains a private citizen — one who has lived much of his life in the public eye, and now finds himself at the center of Norway’s most high-profile criminal case in recent memory.
Final Thought
The charges against Marius Borg Høiby mark a turning point not only for him personally but also for how the Norwegian public views those connected to power and privilege. As the case proceeds through the courts, it will test the integrity of Norway’s justice system and the resilience of its royal family’s reputation. Regardless of the outcome, the seriousness of the allegations underscores the importance of accountability, transparency, and support for victims — values that must remain at the heart of any society that seeks true justice.
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Marius Borg Høiby, son of Norway’s Crown Princess, has been charged with rape and assault following a major police investigation involving multiple alleged victims. The case is shaking public trust and placing the royal family under intense scrutiny.