Marius Borg Hoiby, 28, the son of Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit, has been formally charged with raping four women, committing acts of violence, and other criminal offences, prosecutors said on Monday.
Marius Borg Hoiby faces serious criminal charges
According to AFP, Hoiby was arrested on 4 August 2024 after police suspected him of assaulting a girlfriend. Investigators claim that he raped four women while they were asleep, and in at least three cases, he had consensual sex with the women earlier the same day before the alleged assaults.
He is also accused of secretly filming the women’s genitals, with authorities citing video and photographic evidence.
Hoiby faces 32 counts of various criminal offences, including rape, domestic violence, sexual harassment, filming without consent, vandalism, disturbing the peace, and violating restraining orders.
The alleged rapes occurred in 2018, 2023, and 2024. One identified victim, his former girlfriend Nora Haukland, is said to have experienced both physical and psychological abuse in 2022 and 2023.
The charges also include domestic abuse against other former partners and several violent acts.
Authorities describe this as the most serious rape investigation in Norway since the Julio Kopseng case.
Who is Marius Borg Hoiby?
Marius Borg Hoiby was born on 13 January 1997 from a previous relationship of Crown Princess Mette-Marit before she married Crown Prince Haakon. He is not a royal himself but is widely known as a relative of Norway’s royal family.
Hoiby grew up near the royal family and attracted media attention due to his background, sometimes described as lower-class or disadvantaged.
Hoiby’s early life included public scrutiny for his lifestyle and behaviour. He briefly studied business in the United States and held short-term jobs in fashion and sales but has been unemployed since 2019.
Reports suggest his lifestyle was funded by his mother and stepfather, including money used for drugs. He has also been known to host gatherings at royal property that involved criminal acquaintances and drug use.
The Marius Borg Hoiby case has generated extensive media coverage, described in Norway as “the biggest royal scandal since Prince Andrew’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.”
Over 42,000 articles have reported on the case in both Norwegian and international media.
Royal commentators have noted that although Hoiby has no official position, his actions have affected the reputation of the Norwegian royal family.
Hoiby remains under investigation, and the legal process is ongoing. The charges carry serious legal consequences, and if convicted, he could face up to 10 years in prison.