Norway’s Future King Speaks Out as Stepson Faces 32 Charges Including Rape

Norway’s Crown Prince Haakon has publicly addressed the serious legal charges facing his stepson, Marius Borg Høiby, who stands accused of 32 criminal offenses including four counts of rape. The 28-year-old, son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit from a previous relationship, faces allegations of rape, domestic violence, assault, and other crimes, with the most severe charges concerning incidents from 2018, 2023, and 2024. Some of the alleged rape acts were reportedly recorded on his phone.

Prosecutors have indicated that if convicted, Høiby could face up to 10 years in prison, reflecting the gravity of the accusations. The trial is expected to start in January 2026 and may last around six weeks. Although Høiby denies the most serious accusations, including the rape and domestic violence charges, his lawyer states he will plead guilty to lesser offenses.

Crown Prince Haakon remarked that the royal family will continue performing their official duties despite these challenges and emphasized that the judicial system will decide the verdict. He also acknowledged the situation’s difficulty for everyone involved.

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Crown Princess Mette-Marit has spoken in the past about the family’s struggles, describing the period as demanding and noting that they have sought professional help to cope with the situation. The Norwegian Royal Palace has stated that it respects the court’s role to handle the matter and has refrained from further comment.

This case has drawn significant public and media attention given Høiby’s connection to the royal family, though he holds no royal title and is not in the line of succession. The family continues to face intense scrutiny while striving to fulfill their public responsibilities amid the unfolding legal proceedings