Marius Borg Høiby, the 28-year-old stepson of Norway’s future king, is facing serious criminal charges after a months-long police investigation into allegations of rape, sexual misconduct, and bodily harm.
Oslo police announced Friday that Høiby, the son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit and stepson of Crown Prince Haakon, has officially been charged with one count of rape with intercourse, two counts of rape without intercourse, four counts of sexually offensive behavior, and one count of bodily harm. Authorities say the case involves a “double-digit number” of alleged victims.
The investigation began after Høiby was arrested in the summer of 2024 on charges related to bodily harm. Since then, investigators have compiled evidence through text messages, interviews, and property searches, according to CBS News.
Police say Høiby has cooperated throughout the investigation, including multiple interviews throughout fall 2024 and spring 2025. Still, he denies most of the allegations. His lawyer, Petar Sekulic, told the New York Times that Høiby “doesn’t acknowledge any wrongdoing in most of the cases — especially the cases regarding sexual abuse and violence.”
Høiby has never held a public royal role and is not in line for the throne. In 2017, the palace announced that he would live a private life away from official duties. At the time, Crown Princess Mette-Marit described her son’s position as difficult to define publicly, calling him “an exceptionally important part of our family” but not one who would carry royal responsibilities.
If formally indicted, Høiby could face a high-profile trial that would rattle Norway’s royal family — though he remains outside of royal succession and holds no formal title. The case has already sparked widespread attention across Europe due to his family ties and the severity of the allegations.
A court date has not yet been announced.