Oslo District Court sentenced Marius Borg Høiby, the 29-year-old son of Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit, to four years in prison after finding him guilty of two counts of rape and 32 additional offenses, while acquitting him of two other rape charges [1][6]. The prosecution had requested seven years and seven months; the defense had sought acquittal on the rape charges and a maximum sentence of 18 months [2][3]. The 128-page ruling detailed convictions for bodily harm, vandalism, violations of a contact ban, traffic offenses, and transporting 3.5 kilograms of marijuana, in addition to the sexual violence charges [12][6].
Presiding judge Jon Sverdrup Efjestad stated that the court considered it proven beyond doubt that one victim was asleep during the recorded assaults. "Das Gericht hält es für zweifelsfrei erwiesen, dass die Geschädigte während der Aufnahmen schlief" (The court considers it proven beyond doubt that the victim was sleeping during the recordings), Efjestad said, noting that the woman's eyes were closed, she lay in the same position for a prolonged period, and showed no reaction to touch [8]. The court also found that the victim "no pudo resistirse" (could not resist) [3]. Victim advocate Mette Yvonne Larsen described the verdict as thorough and the sentence as moderate, and said she believed the verdict was correct [9]. Heidi Reisvang, representing victim Nora Haukland, said Haukland was relieved the court fully accepted her account and hoped the verdict would provide closure [10].
Høiby and his defense team rejected the rape convictions. Defense lawyer Petar Sekulic announced an appeal, stating: "Er hält sich für eindeutig unschuldig" (He holds himself clearly innocent) [7]. Co-counsel Ellen Holager Andenæs said: "Es natural que uno considere apelar los graves cargos por los que ha sido condenado y que él no ha confesado" (It is natural to consider appealing the serious charges for which he was convicted and which he has not confessed) [3]. During the trial, Høiby had told the court he was "not in the habit of having sex with women who are asleep" and accused local media of portraying him as a "monster" [2]. He also described psychological struggles since adolescence, an "extreme need for affirmation," and said: "La prensa me ha acosado desde que tenía tres años" (The press has harassed me since I was three years old) [3]. He acknowledged problems related to alcohol and drug use [5]. The defense also requested his release from pre-trial detention, citing his mother's serious health condition, but the court denied the request on grounds of re-offending risk [1][8].
State prosecutor Sturla Henriksbø expressed satisfaction with the verdict, saying: "Das macht die Schwere der Taten deutlich" (This makes the severity of the acts clear), and framed the outcome as demonstrating equality before the law in Norway, including the capacity of courts to try a member of the royal family when crimes are committed [7]. Al Jazeera quoted the prosecution arguing that the case shows no one is above the law [20]. Danish newspaper Politiken published an analysis arguing that both the judicial system and the monarchy had passed an important democratic and institutional test [18].
The gap between the prosecution's request and the sentence imposed drew attention across multiple outlets. The New York Times provided context on Norwegian rape sentencing ranges and noted public scrutiny of whether Høiby's royal connections affected the outcome [21]. The Guardian detailed the 34 offenses and the victim compensation and restraining orders the court imposed alongside the prison term [22]. The BBC reported public debate over whether the sentence was lenient compared to typical Norwegian rape cases [23]. Victim advocate Larsen's characterization of the sentence as "moderate" was reported alongside the defense's view that an appeal was warranted [9].
Criminologist Anja Emilie Kruse of the University of Oslo placed the case within a broader pattern, noting that most rape allegations in Norway are shelved by police and that one in three rape cases reaching court ends in acquittal. "The burden of evidence needs to be high," Kruse said, pointing to frustration in parts of Norwegian society that courts seem unable to deliver justice in rape cases [1].
The conviction compounded pressure on the Norwegian monarchy. Peggy Simcic Brønn, a specialist in reputation and public relations at BI Norwegian Business School, described the situation as "a tragedy and a crisis for any family" and said the royal family should let the convicted person serve his sentence while trying to make amends [1]. A February Norstat poll showed support for the monarchy at a record low of approximately 60 percent, down from around 70 percent [2][17]. Crown Princess Mette-Marit's earlier apology for her friendship with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein added to the institution's difficulties [6][7]. Danish newspaper Berlingske published an analysis arguing the case threatens the monarchy's "moral contract" with the Norwegian people and could affect attitudes toward monarchies across the Nordic region [19]. French outlets Le Figaro and L'Express framed Høiby as "le prince le plus détesté de Norvège" (the most hated prince in Norway) and described the Norwegian royal family as "la famille royale la plus scandaleuse d'Europe" (the most scandalous royal family in Europe), a characterization not reflected in Nordic-language coverage [14][15].
The Norwegian Royal Palace declined to comment on the verdict. "The matter has been considered by the courts, and we have no comment on the outcome," the Palace said in an email [1]. Crown Prince Haakon stated: "Todas las personas involucradas en este caso piensan probablemente que es desafiante y difícil. Ahora se ha aclarado cuál es la acusación y esto debe seguir en los tribunales, que decidirán cómo termina" (All people involved in this case probably think it is challenging and difficult. Now the accusation has been clarified and this must continue in the courts, which will decide how it ends) [3].
The defense's appeal means the case will proceed to a higher court. Victim advocate Hege Salomon said the appeal was "not unexpected" and that the victim was prepared for another round of proceedings [11]. Høiby remains in pre-trial detention after the court rejected his release request [1][8].