FILE - Norway's Marius Borg Hoiby and Crown Princess Mette-Marit in Oslo, June 16, 2022. -- Lise Aserud/NTB via AP, File
OSLO, Norway (AP) - Oslo police on Friday announced charges against Marius Borg Høiby, the eldest son of Norway’s crown princess, on multiple counts including rape, sexual assault and bodily harm after a monthslong investigation of a case that involved a "double-digit” number of alleged victims.
Høiby, the 28-year-old son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit and stepson of the heir to the throne, Crown Prince Haakon, has been under scrutiny since he was repeatedly arrested in 2024 amid allegations of rape and on preliminary charges of bodily harm and criminal damage.
Oslo Police Attorney Andreas Kruszewski said that Høiby was cooperative during police questioning, which is now complete. Evidence in the case was drawn from sources including text messages, witness testimonies and police searches, the police attorney said.
The charges included one case of rape involving intercourse and two cases of rape without intercourse, four cases of sexual assault and two cases of bodily harm, Kruszewksi said at a news conference.
"I cannot go into further detail about the number of victims in the case beyond confirming that it is a double-digit number,” he said.
Defense attorney Petar Sekulic, in an email to The Associated Press, said Høiby was "absolutely taking the accusations very seriously, but doesn’t acknowledge any wrongdoing in most of the cases - especially the cases regarding sexual abuse and violence.”
The royal palace said "the case is proceeding through the legal system and is following normal procedures. We have nothing further to add.”
The case was top news in Norway, where the royals are popular.
Høiby previously lived with the royal couple and their two children, Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus, but now lives in a separate house nearby, according to Sekulic.
Høiby remains free pending a possible trial and is entitled to a presumption of innocence until a court rules otherwise.
Once known affectionately as "Little Marius,” Høiby grew up in the public eye enjoying the same wealth and privilege as his royal siblings, although his biological father, Morton Borg, served time in prison for drugs and violent offenses. Hoiby has acknowledged cocaine use and addiction.
Norway’s future queen made headlines in 2001 when she married Haakon, because she was a single mother who had lived a freewheeling life with a companion who had been convicted on drug charges. - AP
