Norway’s royal family, long known for its relative openness and modern approach to monarchy, now finds itself at the heart of a legal storm. On August 18, 2025, Norwegian prosecutors indicted Marius Borg Høiby, the 28-year-old son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit and stepson of Crown Prince Haakon, on a staggering 32 criminal charges. The indictment, announced by Oslo state attorney Sturla Henriksbø in a press conference and reported by outlets including BBC and Reuters, includes four counts of rape, multiple counts of domestic violence, assault, making death threats, and a series of lesser offenses such as traffic violations and vandalism.
The charges cap a yearlong investigation that has gripped Norway and raised difficult questions for the royal family, the justice system, and the public. If convicted of the most serious offenses, Høiby could face up to 10 years in prison. The alleged crimes span a six-year period between 2018 and 2024 and involve four women, with prosecutors stating that some of the assaults were filmed on Høiby’s phone without the victims’ knowledge or consent.
According to the indictment, the most serious charge relates to an alleged rape under Article 291(b) of the Norwegian Criminal Code, which covers sexual intercourse with persons who are unconscious or otherwise unable to resist. Three additional rape charges involve incomplete sexual acts, which, under Norwegian law, are still classified as rape when the victim is unable to resist. Prosecutors also accuse Høiby of abusing former partners, violating restraining orders, making death threats, and engaging in acts of violence. One former partner, Nora Haukland, was named as a victim of physical assault, with the prosecution stating that Høiby repeatedly hit her in the face, choked her, and damaged her apartment while under the influence of cocaine and alcohol.
Høiby, who does not have a royal title and is not in the line of succession, has been arrested three times in 2024—once in August, then again in September and November—on various allegations of assault and violating restraining orders. He spent a week in police detention last November as part of the investigation. The case took further shape in June 2025, when police announced that Høiby was suspected of three rapes and 23 other offenses; the indictment filed in August expanded the list of charges to 32.
Through his lawyer, Petar Sekulic, Høiby has denied the most serious accusations against him. Sekulic told Reuters, “He does not agree with the claims regarding rape and domestic violence,” but confirmed that Høiby plans to plead guilty to some lesser charges when the trial begins. In a statement to the New York Post, Sekulic added, “Our client denies all allegations of sexual abuse, as well as most allegations of violence. He will present a detailed account of his version of events before the court.”
The trial is expected to begin in mid-January 2026 and could last about six weeks, according to Oslo state attorney Henriksbø. Høiby is currently free pending trial, with Henriksbø stating that there is no reason to arrest and jail him unless new circumstances arise. The prosecution has emphasized that Høiby will not receive any special treatment due to his royal connections. “The fact that he is a member of the royal family should not, of course, mean that he should be treated more lightly or more severely than if others had committed similar acts,” Henriksbø said at a press conference, as reported by NRK and Reuters.
The royal family has responded with caution and restraint. The Royal Palace issued a statement saying, “It is up to the courts to hear this case and to reach a decision.” Crown Prince Haakon, who is set to become Norway’s king, told reporters on August 20, 2025, “We will continue to carry out our duties as best we can, as we always do,” and acknowledged the difficulty of the situation: “Everyone involved in this case probably finds it challenging and difficult.” The palace also clarified that no members of the royal family would be called to testify, as they were not considered essential witnesses in the case.
Høiby’s troubled history with law enforcement did not begin with these recent allegations. Media reports indicate that in 2017, he was arrested for cocaine use at a music festival. In 2023, police contacted him about his associations with known criminals, including members of the Hells Angels and Oslo’s Albanian mafia. Last year, he lived at Skaugum Castle, the official residence of his mother and stepfather, but reportedly moved to an outbuilding after guests he hosted were accused of theft in the palace’s cellars.
The indictment also details several lesser offenses, such as driving without a license, vandalism, and repeated violations of restraining orders. One particularly serious incident in August 2024 involved an attack on ex-girlfriend Rebecca Helberg Arntsen, who was hospitalized for a concussion after Høiby allegedly assaulted her and damaged her apartment. A few weeks later, he was arrested again for violating a restraining order initiated by Arntsen. In November 2024, the most severe charge—rape involving a victim unable to resist—was added to the growing list of allegations against him.
The Norwegian justice system has moved deliberately and transparently throughout the investigation. Prosecutors closed their investigation in June 2025 and moved forward with the indictment only after reviewing all available evidence, including video recordings allegedly made by Høiby himself. State attorney Henriksbø has said that some former guards from Skaugum Castle may be questioned during the trial, but reiterated that no royal family members are expected to testify. “My assessment is that there are no members of the royal family who have been in a place or have been in contact with the accused or the injured parties in a way that makes it essential to have them as witnesses in the case, or who can shed light on the case better than we can with the evidence,” he told the press.
The case has sent shockwaves through Norway, a country that generally holds its royal family in high regard. While Høiby himself holds no title and has no official duties, his close ties to the future king and queen consort have inevitably drawn public attention. The seriousness of the charges, coupled with the royal connection, has sparked debate over privilege, accountability, and the responsibilities of those in the public eye.
As the trial approaches, many Norwegians—along with observers across Europe—will be watching closely. The outcome may have lasting implications for the royal family’s public image and for perceptions of justice in Norway. For now, the royal household is focused on its official duties, while the courts prepare to weigh the evidence in a case that has already left a deep mark on the nation’s consciousness.
With the trial set for January 2026, the coming months promise to test Norway’s legal system, its royal family, and the public’s faith in both.
