Norwegian Royal Under Scrutiny: Crown Princess's Son Charged with Sexual Assault

Marius Borg Hoiby, the son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit, has been charged with multiple counts of rape and sexual misconduct after a lengthy police investigation that has unsettled Norway’s monarchy. His attorney claims he takes the accusations seriously yet denies most charges.

The police in Oslo have formally charged 28-year-old Marius Borg Hoiby, the stepson of Crown Prince Haakon of Norway, with multiple offenses including rape and sexual assault, following an extensive investigation that began in August and has since drawn significant public attention. The charges come after Hoiby was arrested on multiple occasions over the past year, initially facing allegations of bodily harm and damage before the investigation expanded to include accusations of sexual misconduct.

His lawyer, Petar Sekulic, emphasized that while Mr. Hoiby takes the allegations seriously, he does not acknowledge wrongdoing in the majority of the cases, particularly regarding the sexual assault claims. The police have conducted a comprehensive inquiry, interviewing witnesses and sifting through substantial digital material during the investigation, which has raised questions and concerns about the royal family.

Marius Borg Hoiby is the son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit, who has been married to Crown Prince Haakon since 2001. Despite his royal connections, he does not hold an official title, and the charges against him include one count of rape involving intercourse, two counts of rape without intercourse, four counts of sexually offensive behavior, alongside accusations of harassment and violating restraining orders.

After his initial arrest, Mr. Hoiby publicly acknowledged causing bodily harm while under the influence of alcohol and drugs and expressed an intention to pursue treatment for his substance abuse issues. The police are now deciding whether the evidence gathered is sufficient to pursue formal indictment against him in the coming months. This case has undoubtedly put the royal family under intense scrutiny and prompted discussions about accountability and responsibility within royal circles.

Isabella Kwai contributed additional reporting to this article.