Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s son sentenced to four years for rape

Marius Borg Høiby, the 29‑year‑old son of Crown Princess Mette‑Marit of Norway, was convicted of two counts of rape and sentenced by the Oslo District Court to four years in prison. He was also found guilty of domestic‑violence related offences and a breach of a restraining order. The court rejected the prosecution’s request for a seven‑year term and the defence’s request for eighteen months. Høiby did not appear in person at the sentencing, participating via video link from prison.

The case has intensified scrutiny of the Norwegian monarchy, with a victim weeping in the courtroom as the verdict was read. The trial coincided with the Crown Princess’s deteriorating health; she suffers from pulmonary fibrosis and is awaiting a lung transplant. Public support for the monarchy slipped to historic lows during the proceedings, according to a Norstat poll. Høiby retains the right to appeal the decision.