The son of Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit is being held in custody as the court considers a verdict in a rape case that has shaken the royal family. Marius Borg Høiby, 27, the eldest child of the Crown Princess from a previous relationship, was arrested on Tuesday following allegations made by a woman in her twenties. The prosecution has requested that he remain in detention until the verdict is delivered, citing a risk of evidence tampering or flight.
The case has drawn intense scrutiny in Norway, where the royal family has traditionally enjoyed strong public support. Høiby, who has no official royal duties, has pleaded not guilty. His lawyer, Hege Salomon, stated that the defence would challenge the custody order, arguing that there was no basis for continued detention.
The trial is expected to conclude within the week, with a verdict likely to be delivered next month. The Crown Princess and her husband, Crown Prince Haakon, have not publicly commented on the case, but palace officials confirmed that they are aware of the situation and are respecting the legal process. This is not the first legal trouble for Høiby.
In 2023, he was convicted of assault and fined for an incident involving a security guard at a nightclub. That case raised questions about his conduct, but the current charges are far more serious. If convicted, he faces up to ten years in prison.
The alleged victim has been granted anonymity, which is standard in Norwegian sexual assault cases. The case has reignited debate about the role of royal family members who do not hold official titles and the legal protections they receive. For now, the focus remains on the court proceedings, as the nation waits to see whether the crown princess’s son will be convicted of a crime that carries a severe penalty.
