The eldest son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway, Marius Borg Høiby, is set to appear in court facing 32 charges, including alleged rape, abuse in a close relationship, acts of violence, making death threats, and multiple traffic violations. Recently, he was hit with six additional charges, the most severe being transporting marijuana across Norway. His trial is scheduled to commence in Oslo on February 3 and is expected to continue until mid-March.
Despite the extensive legal proceedings, Høiby will face the court proceedings alone as his mother and stepfather, Crown Prince Haakon, have confirmed they will not be present to support him. The Royal Family has expressed that they will not comment on the trial and will continue with their official duties. Crown Princess Mette-Marit will spend some time at a private residence during this period.
The Royal Family conveyed in a statement that they are concerned about all individuals involved in the case and emphasized the importance of a fair trial under the rule of law. They highlighted that Marius Borg Høiby is not part of the Royal House and is a citizen of Norway subject to the same responsibilities and rights as others.
In a previous statement, Marius’ family, including Crown Princess Mette-Marit, Crown Prince Haakon, King Harald, and Queen Sonja, addressed the impact of the upcoming court case. Crown Princess Mette-Marit expressed her distress over the allegations against her son and refuted claims that the family had not taken the situation seriously. She asserted that the matter should be dealt with through the legal system.
Formally charged in August 2025, Marius faces serious allegations, with State Attorney Sturla Henriksbø emphasizing that his royal status should not grant him special treatment. If convicted, the 29-year-old could face a maximum of 10 years in jail.