Son of Norway’s crown princess sentenced to 4 years in prison for rape

Key Points:

• Marius Borg Høiby, eldest son of Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit, was sentenced to four years in prison after being convicted of two counts of rape out of four charges, with acquittals on the remaining two.
• He was charged with sexually assaulting four women who were asleep or unable to resist between 2018 and 2024, and also faced additional charges including assault, drug-related offenses, and restraining order violations.
• Høiby denied the rape allegations but admitted to several lesser offenses; prosecutors sought a sentence of over seven years, while defense lawyers argued for acquittal on rape charges and a maximum 18-month sentence for admitted offenses.
• The six-week trial featured testimonies from multiple accusers and evidence such as messages, images, and videos from Høiby’s phone, drawing international attention due to his connection to Norway’s royal family.
• Interest in the case has grown amid Crown Princess Mette-Marit's deteriorating health, with courts denying Høiby temporary release from custody while awaiting the verdict.