Marius Borg Høiby, the 29-year-old son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway, has been sentenced to four years in prison following convictions for multiple offences, including two counts of rape. This ruling was delivered by the Oslo District Court on 15 June, almost three months after a six-week trial, which saw Høiby absent from the courtroom but participating via video link.
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In addition to the prison sentence, Høiby has been placed under a two-year restraining order prohibiting him from contacting one of his victims, identified as Nora Haukland, his former girlfriend. Haukland was the only victim to be named publicly during the proceedings. The court awarded her and three other women more than £60,000 in compensation. While Høiby faced 38 charges in total, including sexual abuse and numerous counts of non-consensual filming, he was acquitted on two additional counts of rape, according to reports from outlets such as the BBC and The Guardian.
Judge Jon Sverdrup Efjestad, who presided over the case, noted the significant impact of Høiby’s actions on his victims and their families. Prosecutors had sought a lengthy sentence of seven years and seven months, while Høiby’s defence presented an argument for a reduced sentence of 18 months. Ultimately, the judge ruled for a total of four years, reflecting the court’s recognition of the severity of the crimes.
The case has drawn considerable attention, not only due to Høiby’s royal connections but also because of the gravity of the allegations. Crown Prince Haakon, who is Høiby’s stepfather, expressed his support for the legal process, commenting, “Our thoughts are with everyone who is affected by this case. It has an impact on the individuals, their families, and all those who care about them.” He emphasised the importance of living in a system governed by the rule of law, reinforcing confidence in the judicial proceedings.
Høiby is the son of Mette-Marit from a previous relationship, prior to her marriage to Crown Prince Haakon. While he carries the royal title, he is not in the line of succession to the throne, a distinction reserved for his half-siblings, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, 22, and Prince Sverre Magnus, 20.
Høiby first faced charges in August 2025, following his arrest related to an incident involving the alleged assault of a 20-year-old woman. The subsequent investigation unveiled a staggering number of additional charges, highlighting a pattern of troubling behaviour. The offences included six counts of filming individuals without consent, six counts of sexually inappropriate conduct not based on consent, domestic violence against a former partner, and even violations of a restraining order.
The sentencing comes amidst another significant challenge for the Norwegian royal family, as Crown Princess Mette-Marit has recently been placed on a waiting list for a lung transplant due to her life-threatening health condition. Diagnosed in 2018 with chronic pulmonary fibrosis, her health has reportedly deteriorated to the point where she now requires supplemental oxygen during public events.
As her health remains a concern, medical experts have shared the seriousness of her condition. Are Holm, a professor of medicine at the University of Oslo, stated, “The progression of The Crown Princess’s lung disease is serious. Following a comprehensive medical assessment, she has now been placed on the waiting list for patients who will undergo a lung transplant as soon as a suitable donor becomes available.”
The intersection of Høiby’s criminal convictions and the Crown Princess’s health challenges presents a difficult chapter for the royal family, with both personal and public impacts stretching beyond the courtroom. The family’s resilience during this trying period will likely remain in the spotlight as the nation processes the implications of these developments.