A member of the Norwegian royal family is confronting a significant legal crisis following a series of grave accusations. Marius Borg Høiby, the 28-year-old son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit, has been formally charged with nine criminal counts. The charges, as detailed by Oslo police, include three separate allegations of rape, four of sexual assault, and two of causing bodily harm.
The investigation, which has unfolded over several months, involves a substantial number of alleged victims. Authorities indicate that evidence collected includes digital communications, testimonies from witnesses, and materials obtained during police searches. The accused was initially taken into custody in August of last year, with further arrests following in subsequent months for additional alleged offenses and for reportedly violating court orders.
In a statement issued previously through his legal counsel, Borg Høiby acknowledged an incident of violence and property damage, attributing his actions to intoxication from alcohol and cocaine at the time. He publicly apologized to the woman involved and disclosed a long-standing struggle with substance abuse and mental health challenges, for which he has sought treatment. His lawyer has stated that while his client takes the accusations seriously, he denies guilt regarding most of the charges, particularly those concerning violence and sexual abuse.
Among the specific allegations is a claim that he assaulted a television personality while she was unconscious at a private gathering in 2018. Another accuser, a former romantic partner, required hospital treatment following an alleged violent altercation.
Borg Høiby, who holds no formal public role within the monarchy, currently remains free as the judicial process continues toward a potential trial. The case has drawn intense scrutiny, marking a profound personal and public ordeal connected to the royal household.
