Who is Marius Borg Høiby? Son of Norway’s crown princess faces trial on four alleged rapes after being indicted on 38 charges

The Norwegian royal family is facing major turmoil after the eldest son of Norway’s Crown Princess is set to go on trial on Tuesday in a high-profile criminal case that has drawn widespread attention and caused embarrassment for the royal family. Marius Borg Høiby, 29, will appear before the Oslo District Court after being indicted in August following a long police investigation. Høiby is the son of Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit and the stepson of Crown Prince Haakon, who is next in line to the throne. While he is closely connected to the royal family, Høiby does not hold a royal title and has lived largely outside official royal duties. He has previously been known in the public eye for his lifestyle and media attention rather than formal responsibilities.

The indictment includes 38 charges. Among the most serious are four alleged rapes, abuse in a close relationship involving a former partner, acts of violence against another partner, and transporting 3.5 kilograms (7.7 pounds) of marijuana. He is also accused of making death threats and committing several traffic violations. According to AP, prosecutors say Høiby could face up to 10 years in prison if found guilty. The trial is expected to continue until mid-March.

Despite his family connection, he has been under close public scrutiny since being arrested several times in 2024 for different alleged offenses. He has remained free while awaiting trial. The case focuses on alleged crimes committed between 2018 and November 2024. These include four alleged rapes, violence and threats against one former partner between 2022 and 2023, and additional violent acts against another partner, along with violations of a restraining order. According to ABC News Australia, three of Høiby’s alleged victims are well-known public figures in Norway: model Juliane Snekkestad, social media influencer Nora Haukland, and pop singer Linni Meister.


Høiby’s defense lawyer says, as reported by AP, his client denies all sexual abuse charges and most of the violence-related accusations. The lawyer added that Høiby will explain his version of events in court.

In a rare public comment, as quoted by AP, Crown Prince Haakon said he and Crown Princess will not attend the trial and that the royal household will not comment during proceedings. He stressed that Høiby is not part of the royal house and should be treated like any other Norwegian citizen.