- Marius Borg Høiby, stepson of Norway’s Crown Prince, faces 32 charges, including four rapes and multiple assaults.
- Alleged crimes span 2018–2024 and involve former partners, with some assaults filmed and occurring after consensual encounters.
- He could face up to 10 years in prison; the case has drawn public attention due to his royal connections and high-profile lifestyle.
Marius Borg Høiby, 28, the stepson of Norway’s Crown Prince Haakon, now finds himself at the center of a serious criminal investigation. On Monday, Norwegian prosecutors confirmed that Høiby faces 32 charges, including four counts of rape and multiple cases of assault and domestic abuse. The alleged offenses, spanning from 2018 to 2024, have sent shockwaves through Norway and beyond, placing the royal family under intense public scrutiny.
Høiby, the son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit from a previous relationship, has long been familiar to the public eye. Once affectionately called “Little Marius,” he grew up alongside his royal siblings, Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus, enjoying the privileges of royal life despite a turbulent family background. His biological father, Morten Borg, served time for drugs and violent offenses, and Høiby himself has admitted past struggles with cocaine.
The indictment details disturbing allegations, including rapes against four different women, assaults against former partners, and incidents of sexual misconduct. In several cases, Høiby allegedly attacked women while they were asleep, filming the assaults. Prosecutors also reported that some assaults occurred after consensual encounters. Beyond sexual crimes, the charges include making threats, assaulting a public official, and multiple road traffic violations.
Public Prosecutor Sturla Henriksbø described the case as “very serious,” emphasizing that rape and domestic violence can leave long-lasting scars on victims. He said Høiby faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison following a six-week trial scheduled for January.
A Life in the Spotlight
Høiby has largely grown up in the glare of public attention. He previously lived with the Crown Prince and Princess, but now resides nearby in a separate home. Despite the ongoing investigation, he has maintained a high-profile social life. Earlier this summer, he attended the Cannes Film Festival, traveled on a luxury yacht owned by billionaire Vincent Tchenguiz, and visited the exclusive La Guérite beach club on Île Sainte-Marguerite, mingling with Norway’s wealthy elite.
Authorities first arrested Høiby on August 4 last year after allegations surfaced that he assaulted a former girlfriend. He spent a week in police custody while investigators secured evidence, including text messages, witness statements, and material recovered during police searches. Oslo Police Attorney Andreas Kruszewski confirmed that Høiby cooperated fully with questioning.
Despite the gravity of the allegations, the Crown Prince has sought to balance public accountability with family support. Speaking to NRK, Haakon said: “Marius is facing serious accusations, which the police and judiciary will handle. As a family, we want him to receive help and support, but always within the framework of the legal system.”
Diplomatic Passport Revoked
Reports have also revealed that Høiby recently had his diplomatic passport revoked. Previously, he held both a standard and diplomatic passport, a privilege extended to members of the Royal House. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the revocation but offered no explanation for the decision. Sources suggest the passport may have been surrendered within the last six months.
Public Reaction and Controversy
The case has stirred significant public debate in Norway. Many have expressed shock that someone so closely connected to the royal family could face such serious allegations. Critics have also questioned the privileges Høiby enjoyed despite a history of personal struggles. At the same time, there is widespread concern for the alleged victims, with many voices in social media and Norwegian news outlets urging the legal system to proceed swiftly and transparently.
Høiby’s defense attorney, Ellen Holager Andenæs, declined to comment on the specifics of the charges. Reports indicate that he has spent time in rehab centers in London following his arrest, but has otherwise continued traveling, visiting Hemsedal, Copenhagen, and Italy.
The Charges in Detail
The full list of allegations against Høiby is extensive:
- Four cases of rape
- One case of rape with intercourse and two without
- Four instances of sexually offensive behavior
- One case of abuse in a close relationship
- Two cases of bodily harm
- One case of malicious damage
- One case of threats
- Five violations of restraining orders
- One case involving a police officer
- Five road traffic offenses
Each charge represents a serious accusation that could carry significant prison time if he is convicted.
A Cautionary Tale
Once a young man celebrated in the public eye, Marius Borg Høiby now faces a dramatically different reality. From luxury travel and celebrity parties to potential incarceration, the contrast in his life could not be starker. For Norway’s royal family, the case is not just a personal crisis but a public challenge, testing their ability to navigate the intersection of privilege, accountability, and justice.
As the trial approaches, the eyes of the nation and the world remain fixed on Høiby. His fate will hinge on the evidence presented in court, but one thing is certain: the repercussions of this scandal will linger, reshaping public perceptions of Norway’s young royal family and the stepson at its center.
