Marius Borg Høiby gets four‑year jail term as Norwegian royal family stays silent

Oslo District Court sentenced Marius Borg Høiby, the 29‑year‑old son of Crown Princess Mette‑Marit, to four years’ imprisonment without parole after finding him guilty on 34 of 40 charges, including two counts of rape, assault on his ex‑partner Nora Haukland and several drug‑ and traffic offences. The court ordered him to pay about €58,000 in damages to four victims, a figure far below the €174,000 originally sought. The Norwegian royal house issued a brief statement saying the case had been tried in court and declined to comment further, sparking public criticism of its silence. Høiby’s lawyers announced plans to appeal the convictions, particularly the rape and assault counts. While in custody, Høiby broke his right arm after smashing a cupboard in his cell when a recent request for release was denied, and was taken to an emergency department. The verdict, still subject to appeal, has become the most serious scandal to hit the Norwegian monarchy in recent years, drawing extensive media coverage domestically and abroad.