In the biggest scandal to rock the Norwegian monarchy, Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s son will go on trial on Tuesday. accused of raping four womenas well as drug and assault crimes.
Marius Borg HoibyMette-Marit’s 29-year-old son, from a relationship before her marriage to Crown Prince Haakon, has been charged with a total of 38 counts, some dating back to 2018.
He faces up to 16 years in prison if the Oslo District Court finds him guilty. The trial, which is scheduled to last until March 19, is expected to receive intense media coverage.
“When it comes to the Norwegian royal family, this is without a doubt the biggest scandal” in its 120-year history, Trond Noren Isaksen, historian and expert on the Norwegian monarchy, told AFP.
Hakon mosvolold larsen/ntb/afp via gettty images 
“There have been controversies over the choice of spouses, over palace renovations and that sort of thing, but never real scandals involving criminal offenses, let alone this many,” he said.
The most serious charges against Hoiby relate to the four rapes and the physical and psychological abuse inflicted on several ex-girlfriends.
So far, he has only confessed to some of the more minor charges.
“Hoiby is keeping his version of events for the court,” the law firm defending him told AFP.
Some rapes were filmed
A tall blond who cultivates a “bad boy” look with slicked back hair, earrings, rings and tattoos, Hoiby was arrested on August 4, 2024, suspected of assaulting his girlfriend the day before.
A few days later, he admitted to having acted “under the influence of alcohol and cocaine after an argument”, to having suffered from “mental disorders” and to having struggled “for a long time with drug addiction”.
The investigation into that incident uncovered numerous other alleged offenses, including the rape of four women while they were asleep or passed out drunk, some of which was filmed.
The four rapes allegedly took place in 2018, 2023 and 2024, the last since the start of the police investigation.
Last week, police announced six new charges against him, including a “serious drug offense” from 2020 in which he transported 3.5 kilos of marijuana, without financial compensation. He confessed to this crime.
The affair highlighted the bad company kept by Hoiby, who has no royal titles, no official roles and no professional career. The crown prince couple supports themselves financially.
It also deeply embarrassed the royal family, particularly her mother, who suffers from an incurable lung disease and who is torn between her role as mother and future queen.
Haakon issued a statement Wednesday, saying neither he nor Mette-Marit planned to attend the trial, he said.
“Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this matter. It has an impact on individuals, their families and everyone who cares about them. We understand that this is a difficult time for many of you, and we sympathize,” said Haakon’s statement, released by the Royal House of Norway and shared in English.
“At the same time, it is reassuring to know that we live in a state governed by the rule of law. I am confident that those responsible for overseeing the trial will ensure that the trial proceeds in the most orderly, appropriate and fair manner possible,” the text continues.
“Important member of our family”
Prosecutor Sturla Henriksbo insisted that all individuals are equal before the law, “regardless of their social status, origin or family ties.”
“This means that Hoiby should be treated neither more leniently nor more harshly because of his family affiliations,” he told AFP.
Hoiby was raised by the royal couple alongside his half-siblings Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus. Unlike them, he has no official public role.
In his statement on Wednesday, Haakon alluded to Hoiby’s “autonomous” status.
“Marius Borg Høiby is not a member of the Royal House of Norway and is therefore autonomous. We care about him and he is an important member of our family. He is a Norwegian citizen and, as such, has the same responsibilities as everyone else, as well as the same rights,” Haakon said.
lise ared/ntb/afp via gettty images 
The prosecutor said the most serious crimes carry sentences of up to 10 years in prison, which can be increased to a maximum of 16 years if the court finds him guilty of multiple charges.
This scandal, added to the antics of Princess Martha Louise, Haakon’s older sister who married a self-proclaimed American shaman in 2024, has tarnished the image of the royal family, although he still remains very popular in Norway.
An opinion poll published Wednesday by public broadcaster NRK reveals that 70% of respondents support the monarchy, compared to 81% in 2017.
“People feel compassion for an aging royal couple, who are obviously completely innocent in this matter,” said Carl-Erik Grimstad, a former palace employee turned author, referring to King Harald and Queen Sonja, both 88 years old and considered unifying figures of the nation.
And “in times of geopolitical turbulence, people often gather around the symbols closest to them,” he added.
The verdict is expected several weeks after the end of the trial.
