Son of Norway's crown princess found guilty, sentenced for rape

Marius Borg Hoiby, the son of Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit, was convicted on June 15 of two counts of rape, domestic violence, violent threats, and filming people without consent. He received a four-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to assault, harassment, and property damage but denying four rape charges. The Oslo District Court acquitted him on two additional rape allegations but ordered him to pay $60,800 in damages to four victims, all of whom were either asleep or incapacitated during the incidents. Hoiby, 31, is not a member of Norway’s royal family but is the eldest son of the crown princess and stepson to the heir. Prosecutors had sought a seven-year sentence and additional restrictions, including banning Hoiby from contacting one victim and confiscating three iPhones and a MacBook. His legal team argued for release to be with his mother, who has pulmonary fibrosis and awaits a lung transplant, but an appeal overturned a prior grant of temporary release. The case involved six women, with one victim testifying that Hoiby raped her in March 2024 while she was incapacitated. Earlier this year, U.S. Department of Justice files revealed Mette-Marit had a three-year friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Hoiby also admitted to transporting marijuana during the legal proceedings. The verdict follows a high-profile trial that drew significant media attention in Norway, given Hoiby’s familial ties to the monarchy. Judges ruled that while two rape charges lacked sufficient evidence, the remaining convictions were supported by the testimony of multiple witnesses. Hoiby’s sentence reflects a balance between prosecutors’ demands and mitigating factors presented by his defense.