August 19, 2025 | 01:08 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Norwegian prosecutors announced on Monday that Marius Borg Hoiby, the eldest son of Norwegian Crown Princess Mette-Marit, has been charged with multiple offenses, including rape, following an extensive investigation.
Hoiby, born before Mette-Marit married Crown Prince Haakon, has been under investigation since his arrest in August last year on suspicion of assaulting a girlfriend.
State prosecutor Sturla Henriksbo in Oslo said Hoiby could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted, according to NRK and ABC News. Hoiby is also accused of secretly recording the genitals of several women without their consent.
"These are very serious acts that can leave lasting scars and destroy lives," Henriksbo told reporters. He added that Hoiby’s royal status does not warrant either leniency or harsher treatment than any other individual committing similar crimes.
In total, Hoiby faces 32 charges, including four counts of rape, domestic violence against former partners, and other violent acts. Additional charges involve death threats, traffic violations, and public disorder.
The 28-year-old, stepson of Crown Prince Haakon, has been under observation following repeated arrests last year. He remains free pending trial, as prosecutors see no reason for pretrial detention at this stage. The trial is expected to begin in mid-January and last about six weeks, NRK reported.
While Hoiby denies the most serious allegations, his lawyer, Petar Sekulic, said he intends to plead guilty to some lesser charges. "He disagrees with the allegations related to rape and domestic violence," Sekulic told CBS News.
The alleged rape cases reportedly occurred in 2018, 2023, and 2024, the last incident taking place after the police investigation had already begun. Hoiby has admitted to assault and vandalism in an August 2024 incident that led to his initial arrest.
"The court will handle this case and make the decisions," the royal palace said in a statement.
In a public statement 10 days after his arrest, he admitted that he had acted "under the influence of alcohol and cocaine after an argument" and acknowledged that he had suffered from "mental troubles" and had struggled "for a long time with substance abuse."
Hoiby first gained media attention at age four when his mother married the Crown Prince. He was raised alongside his step-siblings, 21-year-old Princess Ingrid Alexandra and 19-year-old Prince Sverre Magnus, but unlike them, Hoiby has no official public role.
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