Norwegian royal stepson sentenced to four years in prison for rape; monarchy support hits record low

The verdict

Oslo District Court judge Jon Sverdrup Efjestad found Marius Borg Høiby, 29, guilty of two counts of rape, one count of domestic violence, and multiple other offenses on Monday, sentencing him to four years in prison. He was acquitted of two additional rape charges. The stepson of Crown Prince Haakon had faced a total of 40 criminal counts, including four rape allegations, assault, drug-related crimes, and violation of restraining orders. Prosecutors had pushed for a term of 7 years and 7 months, while defense attorneys argued for an 18‑month maximum and acquittal on the rape charges. Høiby, who admitted to some minor infractions but denied the most serious accusations, can appeal the ruling.

Trial details and evidence

The trial opened on 3 February and ran for six to seven weeks before concluding in March. Prosecutors relied on more than 800 electronic messages, along with self‑made video recordings of sexual encounters from Høiby’s mobile phone. During the proceedings, the court heard that one of the alleged rapes occurred in the basement of the Crown Prince’s family home. The former girlfriend Nora Haukland was the only victim publicly identified; he was convicted of assault against her.

Impact on the monarchy

The case has severely tested the Norwegian royal family’s public standing. A Norstat poll released during the trial found backing for the monarchy falling to a record low of 60%, down from 70% in January. Those wanting a republic rose from 19% to 27%. A May survey showed a partial rebound to 64% support, while 23% favored another system. The verdict landed as the royal family was also grappling with the fallout from Mette‑Marit’s association with American financier Jeffrey Epstein, who was convicted of sex crimes in 2008. The Crown Princess admitted to staying in contact with Epstein afterwards and said she regretted it.

It was a perfect storm for the royal family, because it faced two major crises simultaneously.

Ailing mother and detention fight

Mette‑Marit, 52, suffers from incurable pulmonary fibrosis and has been placed on a waiting list for a lung transplant. Her worsening health became a factor in the trial’s final stages: on 8 June, the Oslo district court ordered Høiby’s temporary release from pretrial detention so he could be with her, but the decision was overturned by an appeals court, leaving him behind bars until sentencing. He had been held since 3 February.

Media frenzy

The verdict drew intense domestic and international coverage, with journalists queuing outside the courthouse from early morning. Høiby holds no royal title and has no official duties, yet his upbringing in the household of the future king has made the case a lightning rod for public debate about the monarchy’s relevance.