A court in Oslo announced the verdict against Marius Borg Høiby on Monday.Image: keystone
June 15, 2026, 04:35June 15, 2026, 04:35
Showdown in what is probably the most closely watched trial in Norway in recent years: A court in Oslo announces the verdict against the son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit today (8:30 a.m.). Marius Borg Høiby went on trial in the spring for rape, violence and drugs – and could now be behind bars for years.
This is what you want to know about the process.
Who is Marius Borg Hoiby?
Høiby is the eldest son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit and the Norwegian Morten Borg. When he was two years old, his mother met the Norwegian Crown Prince at a festival. Høiby therefore grew up as Haakon’s foster son and as the big half-brother of the crown prince couple’s two children, Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus. He is part of the royal family, but not the royal family, and does not take on any official duties for the royals. Høiby has spoken openly about drug addiction and mental health issues in the past. He doesn’t have a job.
What is he accused of?
For a whole range of crimes. There are a total of 40 charges against Høiby, and the public prosecutor’s office is demanding conviction on 39 of them. The most serious allegations: four counts of rape under Norwegian law. Four women are affected. Høiby is said to have abused them and filmed them while they slept. In one case, penetration with the penis is said to have occurred. While he denies these allegations, the Norwegian has admitted to other crimes. These include bodily harm, threats, violations of a ban on contact with an ex-girlfriend, a drug offense and several traffic offenses.
How much did the scandal shake the royal family?
In an already difficult time for the Norwegian royals, the trial against Crown Prince Haakon’s foster son has put additional strain on the family. Mette-Marit and Co. stayed away from the court hearing, but visited Høiby regularly in prison. The Crown Princess is seriously ill and urgently needs new lungs. She has also been criticized in Norway for months for her friendship with the American sex criminal Jeffrey Epstein.
How did the process go?
In the seven-week-long mammoth trial between the beginning of February and mid-March, Høiby himself was joined by numerous witnesses, including ex-girlfriends, friends, neighbors, acquaintances, researchers and detectives. Photos and videos on the Norwegian’s cell phones played an important role in providing evidence. Hundreds of text messages between the defendant and the alleged victims were read and internet search histories were revealed. As a result, details about Høiby’s intimate life and sexual preferences became known. The 29-year-old tearfully accused the media several times of persecuting him since his childhood and defended his parents.
In the seven-week-long mammoth trial between the beginning of February and mid-March, numerous witnesses appeared alongside Høiby himself.Image: keystone
Why is Mette-Marit’s son in custody?
Shortly before the trial began, Høiby again violated a ban on contact with an ex-girlfriend and was arrested. According to media reports, the two had seen each other intensively in the months before the trial, even though there was already a ban on visits. Mette-Marit’s son tried several times during the trial and afterwards to be released from custody – if necessary with an electronic ankle bracelet. Citing his mother’s deteriorating health, he tried again shortly before the verdict was announced, but without success.
How does the verdict go?
First, the judges present a brief summary of the judgment. According to the court, this is expected to take about one to one and a half hours. The written verdict is then sent to the press. Contrary to what was originally planned, Høiby himself does not come to the appointment: for health reasons, the court announced that he was allowed to follow the verdict via a video link from prison.
Will Høiby go behind bars?
Both the prosecution and the defense seem to assume this. At the end of the trial, the prosecution had demanded seven years and seven months in prison for the royal foster son. Høiby’s lawyers, however, had argued for one and a half years in prison for the crimes, which the Norwegian admitted. With regard to the most serious charges – the rape allegations – the defense lawyers called for an acquittal. According to the wishes of both sides, the time spent in custody should be deducted from the prison sentence. (sda/dpa)