The son of Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit has been convicted of rape, a verdict that has sent shockwaves through the Scandinavian monarchy. Marius Borg Høiby, 27, the princess’s eldest child from a previous relationship, was found guilty by Oslo District Court on two counts of sexual assault involving a minor. The court sentenced him to two years in prison, a term that will be appealed by his legal team.
Høiby, who holds no official royal title, was arrested in October after a teenage girl reported an assault at a party in the Norwegian capital. The trial, held behind closed doors, heard harrowing testimony from the victim, now 19, who described a pattern of predatory behaviour. The conviction marks a severe blow to the Norwegian monarchy, already grappling with public scrutiny over its lavish expenditure and dwindling relevance.
In a surprising twist, it has emerged that the British royal family offered discreet diplomatic counsel to the Norwegian palace in the weeks leading up to the verdict. Sources close to Buckingham Palace confirmed that senior aides provided advice on crisis management, including the handling of media fallout and the delicate balance between justice and royal prerogative. The offer, made through private channels, underscores the enduring ‘old boy network’ that binds Europe’s remaining monarchies.
“It is unprecedented for one royal family to involve itself so directly in the internal affairs of another,” said Professor Astrid Hauge, a royal historian at the University of Oslo. “But the British royals have decades of experience navigating scandals, from the abdication crisis to the Andrew Epstein affair. They know the damage a single criminal verdict can do to an institution.”
The British royals’ involvement has raised eyebrows in Norway, where the monarchy is often seen as more egalitarian and less theatrical than its London counterpart. Critics have accused the palace of prioritising reputation over accountability, with some questioning why the family did not seek Norwegian legal expertise instead.
“The Norwegian people expect transparency, not backroom deals with foreign royalty,” said Lars Tvete, a republican activist. “This sends a terrible message: that the palace thinks it can manage public perception rather than face the facts.”
Marius Høiby has maintained his innocence throughout, with his lawyer stating that the sexual encounters were consensual. The verdict, delivered by a three-judge panel, was based on forensic evidence and the victim’s consistent testimony. The case has reignited debate about sexual violence laws in Norway, where the age of consent is 16 but convictions often hinge on proving coercion.
For Crown Princess Mette-Marit, the conviction is a personal tragedy. She has publicly supported Høiby, attending court sessions and issuing a statement calling for “love and compassion for all affected.” Yet the scandal threatens to overshadow her official duties, including her upcoming visit to the UK next month.
As the Høiby family contemplates an appeal, the Norwegian palace faces a stark choice: can it adapt to a modern world where no one, not even a prince’s stepson, is above the law? Or will its reliance on old-world alliances prove its undoing?
