Marius Borg Høiby, the 29-year-old stepson of Norway's Crown Prince Haakon, was sentenced to four years in prison on Monday, June 15, 2026, after being convicted of rape and domestic violence. While he grew up within the royal household, he holds no official title or duties.

 

Marius Borg Høiby, the 29-year-old stepson of Norway's Crown Prince Haakon, was sentenced to four years in prison on Monday, June 15, 2026, after being convicted of rape and domestic violence. While he grew up within the royal household, he holds no official title or duties.

The Verdict and Sentence

• The Conviction: An Oslo district court found Høiby guilty of two counts of rape and one count of domestic violence against an ex-girlfriend.
• Additional Charges: He was also convicted of lesser offenses, including issuing threats, traffic violations, and transporting 3.5 kilograms of marijuana.
• The Sentence: The three-judge panel handed down a four-year prison term and ordered him to pay financial compensation to the victims. He has been in police custody since February 1, 2026.
• Acquittals: The court acquitted him of two other counts of rape and two counts of violating a restraining order.
• Appeals: The prosecution had requested a sentence of seven years and seven months. Høiby's defense team, which argued for an 18-month maximum sentence, announced they will appeal the verdict.

Key Details of the Trial

• Nature of the Crimes: The rape charges involved four women between 2018 and 2024 who were asleep or heavily incapacitated after partying. One of the proven assaults took place in the basement of the crown prince couple’s official residence.
• Crucial Evidence: The case built momentum after an August 2024 domestic abuse arrest. Police subsequently discovered self-made videos of the sexual assaults on Høiby’s electronic devices. Over 800 electronic messages were entered into evidence.
• Høiby's Defense: Høiby admitted to several minor offenses and chronic drug addiction but heavily denied the rape charges. He claimed he was "not in the habit of having sex with women who are asleep" and complained that local media had turned him into a "monster".