In brief
Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit is facing a troubling scandal involving her son, Marius Borg Høiby, who has been charged with 32 offenses, including four counts of rape. The prosecutor, Sturla Henriksbø, revealed that the charges are rooted in allegations of abuse against former partners and violations of restraining orders. Høiby, who was born from a previous relationship of his mother before her marriage to Crown Prince Haakon, denies the allegations of rape but intends to plead guilty to several lesser charges, as informed by his lawyer, Petar Sekulic.
If convicted of the serious charges, Høiby could be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison. Further complicating the case, he has been accused of filming women's genitalia without their knowledge or consent. The alleged incidents of rape are said to have occurred between 2018 and 2024, with one occurring after his recent arrest. Høiby faced multiple arrests throughout 2022—specifically in August, September, and November—while police investigations began in August following an assault suspicion.A trial is anticipated to commence in January and could extend for approximately six weeks, marking a significant moment in the life of a man who, despite being a royal family member, has no official title or duties. For those impacted by sexual abuse, information on support services can be found at bbc.co.uk/actionline or by calling 0800 077 077.
