BERLIN — Marius Borg Høiby, the eldest son of Norwegian Crown Princess Mette-Marit, was released from custody on Wednesday after being arrested last week on rape allegations, according to reports from Norwegian broadcaster NRK. This case has drawn significant attention due to his royal connections and the serious nature of the allegations.
Borg Høiby, 27, is the stepson of Crown Prince Haakon and is the son of Mette-Marit from her previous relationship. Notably, he holds no royal title and has no official duties tied to the Norwegian royal family. His arrest marks the latest development in what has now become multiple allegations against him.
The Oslo police initially detained Borg Høiby on November 18 under preliminary charges alleging he had “sexual intercourse with someone who is unconscious or for other reasons unable to resist the act,” highlighting the gravity of the situation. Norwegian law allows for preliminary charges to be levied, which let authorities hold suspects during their investigations without formal charges being filed right away.
Details concerning the timing of the alleged incidents remain vague, but Norwegian media outlets reported Borg Høiby denied the accusations vehemently. The royal palace has opted not to comment on the matter, maintaining their silence amid the swirling cloud of scandal.
On Wednesday, following the completion of various investigative steps, including the examination of evidence collected during the arrest and witness interviews by the police, authorities concluded there was no longer a need for Borg Høiby to remain incarcerated. The police indicated there was no risk of evidence tampering, which led to their decision not to pursue an extension of his detention.
"This was not surprising. He shouldn’t have been imprisoned at all," commented Øyvind Bratlien, Borg Høiby’s defense attorney, reflecting the defense's stance throughout this legal saga. Bratlien confirmed to the Norwegian news agency NTB shortly after his client's release, emphasizing his belief of innocence.
Interestingly, this incident follows prior legal troubles for Borg Høiby. Just months earlier, he was involved with police for disturbances following reports of physical altercations. Earlier on August 4, police responded to reports of rowdy behavior downtown Oslo, which led to Borg Høiby being briefly detained under preliminary charges of bodily harm and criminal damage.
That case also revolved around serious complaints, involving at least three women and one man within its jurisdiction. While details on these new allegations are still sparse, they compound on the serious nature of his existing legal issues, raising numerous concerns about his behavior.
Adding to the complexity of the situation, police stated they are engaging with evidence relevant to another sexual offense supposedly connected to Borg Høiby, though specifics of this new case remain undisclosed. This exploration of new allegations adds layers of complexity to what is already considered to be serious and troubling patterns of behavior.
Norway’s royals remain well-liked by citizens; Crown Princess Mette-Marit made headlines upon her marriage to Crown Prince Haakon back in 2001, primarily because she was a single mother with no royal lineage. Today, she raises two children with Haakon, Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus, alongside Borg Høiby, who lives with them.
Concerns continue to mount as Borg Høiby’s name remains prominent within media circles, intersecting with issues of rights and public interest, and putting increased scrutiny on royal family dynamics and standards.
The fact remains: as investigations continue and new allegations surface, the stability of the royal institution and the weight of public expectations are put to the test. With such serious accusations at play, many wonder how this story will evolve and whether it will impact the royal family’s public perception moving forward.