Marius Borg Hoiby, Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s eldest son, was sentenced to four years in prison on Monday after being convicted of two counts of rape and 32 other offenses. He was found guilty of two of the four rape charges he faced but acquitted of the remaining two. The court also ordered him to pay compensation to the victims.
Hoiby, aged 29 at the time, had been charged with sexually assaulting four women who were asleep or otherwise unable to resist between 2018 and 2024. He faced a total of 40 criminal charges, including lesser offenses like assault, drug-related crimes, and violations of a restraining order.
The sentence is not final as Hoiby can appeal the verdict. His defense lawyer told AFP that they would consider appealing due to the serious nature of the rape allegations which were denied by Hoiby.
Prosecutors had asked for seven years and seven months in prison, while defense lawyers argued for no more than 18 months for offenses admitted by Hoiby. The case has drawn international attention due to Hoiby’s royal connections.
Mette-Marit’s health has been a significant factor in the trial. She is awaiting a lung transplant after being diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis and has been at the center of legal arguments over whether her son should be granted temporary release before the verdict.
The case has also reignited scrutiny of the royal family following revelations about Mette-Marit’s past associations, including contact with Jeffrey Epstein, a deceased sex offender. She has publicly apologized for these connections and said she made poor judgment in maintaining them.