The son of Norway’s crown princess is suspected of three rapes and nearly two dozen other offences, Norwegian police said Friday, handing the case to prosecutors to decide whether to press charges.

Marius Borg Hoiby, who was born as a result of a relationship before Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s marriage to Crown Prince Haakon, has been under investigation since his arrest on August 4 last year on suspicion of assaulting his girlfriend.

The arrest led to a slew of allegations against the 28-year-old that have shaken the royal family.

Police attorney Andreas Kruszweski told reporters the 10-month investigation had been completed.

Hoiby was suspected of “one count of rape with sexual intercourse” and “two counts of rape without sexual intercourse”, Kruszweski said.

Hoiby’s lawyer Ellen Holager Andenaes told news agency NTB her client rejected the three rape allegations.

Hoiby has previously admitted to assault and vandalism in the August 2024 incident.

In a public statement 10 days after his arrest, he said he had acted “under the influence of alcohol and cocaine after an argument”, having suffered from “mental troubles” and struggling “for a long time with substance abuse”.

Police said Hoiby was also suspected of four counts of sexually offensive behaviour, one count of abuse in a close relationship, two counts of bodily harm, one count of vandalism, one count of issuing threats, five violations of restraining orders, one count of insulting a police officer, and five traffic offences.

“I cannot elaborate on the number of victims in the case other than to confirm that we are talking about a double-digit number,” Kruszweski said.

Hoiby, a tall strapping blond who cultivates a “bad boy” look with slicked back hair, earrings, rings and tattoos, has been in the eye of a media storm since his arrest.

When the rape allegations emerged in November, he spent a week behind bars in custody — unprecedented for a member of Norway’s royal family.

After his release, he reportedly went to rehab in London.

Hoiby is the child of a brief romance between his mother and Morten Borg — who has also been convicted of abuse and drug-related crimes — at a time when the future princess was part of Norway’s house music scene, known for its abundance of hash and ecstasy.

Hoiby was propelled into the spotlight at the age of four when his mother married Norway’s crown prince, with whom she went on to have two more children.

He was raised by the royal couple alongside his step-siblings Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus, aged 21 and 19.

Unlike them, however, he has no official public role.

Despite Mette-Marit’s attempts to shield him from the public eye, he has made headlines over the years.

“He has been put in a virtually impossible position: one foot in, one foot out. He is not technically part of the royal household but he grew up in it,” said Sigrid Hvidsten, royals commentator at the newspaper Dagbladet.

“He has lived in a grey zone, a kind of gilded cage,” she told AFP in December 2024.

A cage that has not stopped him from keeping bad company in recent years.

According to media reports, he has hung out with gang members, Hells Angels bikers and members of Oslo’s Albanian mafia. In 2023, police contacted him to have a cautionary talk after he was seen moving in the same circles as “notorious criminals”.

Once the assault scandal hit the headlines in August, it emerged that Hoiby had already been arrested in 2017 for using cocaine at a music festival.

He has lived a comfortable lifestyle provided for by his mother and stepfather, and has shown little interest in academic studies or work.

Several of his ex-girlfriends were among the plaintiffs in cases against him.

His excesses have struck a blow to the monarchy, at least temporarily, though it remains popular, in particular King Harald and Crown Prince Haakon.

A poll published in December by Norwegian broadcaster NRK showed 45 percent of people questioned said their opinion of the royal household had deteriorated over the past year.

Son of Norwegian Crown Princess facing rape and sexual assault charges

Marius Borg Hoiby (l) and Matte-Marit (r). Oslo police have charged him with multiple counts including rape, sexual assault and bodily harm. Picture: Alamy

By StephenRigley

Oslo police have announced charges against Marius Borg Hoiby, the eldest son of Norway’s crown princess, on multiple counts including rape, sexual assault and bodily harm, after a months-long investigation of a case that involved a “double-digit” number of alleged victims.

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Hoiby, the son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit and stepson of the heir to the throne, Crown Prince Haakon, has been under scrutiny since he was repeatedly arrested in 2024 amid allegations of rape and on preliminary charges of bodily harm and criminal damage.

Oslo police lawyer Andreas Kruszewski said Hoiby was co-operative during police questioning, which is now complete.

Evidence in the case was drawn from sources including text messages, witness evidence and police searches, he said.

Police Attorney Andreas Kruszewski from the Oslo Police District, gives an update on the case against Marius Borg Høiby in the press room at the Police Headquarters in Oslo. Picture: Alamy

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The charges included one case of rape involving intercourse and two cases of rape without intercourse, four cases of sexual assault and two cases of bodily harm, Mr Kruszewksi said at a news conference.

“I cannot go into further detail about the number of victims in the case beyond confirming that it is a double-digit number,” he said.

Defence lawyer Petar Sekulic, in an email to The Associated Press, said Hoiby was “absolutely taking the accusations very seriously, but doesn’t acknowledge any wrongdoing in most of the cases, especially the cases regarding sexual abuse and violence.”

The royal palace did not respond to a request for comment.

The palace was quoted by the Norwegian newswire NTB saying it would not comment while the case winds its way through the “normal procedures”.

The case was top news in Norway, where the royal family is popular.

Hoiby, 28, previously lived with the royal couple and their two children, Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus, but now lives in a separate house nearby, according to Mr Sekulic.

Hoiby remains free pending a possible trial and is entitled to a presumption of innocence until a court rules otherwise.

Once known affectionately as “Little Marius”, Hoiby grew up in the public eye enjoying the same wealth and privilege as his royal siblings, although his biological father, Morton Borg, served time in prison for drugs and violent offences.

Hoiby has acknowledged cocaine use and addiction.

Norway’s future queen made headlines in 2001 when she married Haakon, because she was a single mother who had lived a freewheeling life with a companion who had been convicted on drug charges.

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Oslo police have charged Marius Borg Høiby, the eldest son of Norway’s crown princess Mette-Marit, with multiple offences including rape, sexual assault and bodily harm following an extended investigation involving a “double-digit” number of alleged victims.

Høiby, 28, who is the stepson of Crown Prince Haakon, was arrested several times in 2024 amid allegations of rape and preliminary charges of physical assault and criminal damage.

Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Oslo Police Attorney Andreas Kruszewski confirmed that the investigation has concluded, with charges now filed.

“I cannot go into further detail about the number of victims in the case beyond confirming that it is a double-digit number,” he said.

Evidence was gathered from text messages, witness statements and police searches.

The charges include one count of rape involving intercourse, two counts of rape without intercourse, four counts of sexual assault and two of bodily harm.

Defence lawyer Petar Sekulic told the Associated Press that Høiby is “absolutely taking the accusations very seriously,” but denies wrongdoing in most cases, particularly those concerning “sexual abuse and violence.”

The high-profile case has dominated headlines in Norway, where the royal family remains widely admired.

Høiby, who once resided with the royal couple and their children, Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus, now lives independently nearby.

He remains at liberty ahead of a possible trial and is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.

Crown Princess Mette-Marit attracted public attention in 2001 when she married Crown Prince Haakon, having previously been a single mother and partner to a man with a drug conviction.

The eldest son of Norway’s crown princess was slapped with rape and sexual assault charges in a case with a “double-digit number” of alleged victims, authorities announced Friday.

The bombshell charges against Marius Borg Høiby — the 28-year-old son of Princess Mette-Marit and stepson to the heir to the throne, Crown Prince Haakon — follow him being arrested numerous times in 2024 as accusers came forward.

“I cannot go into further detail about the number of victims in the case beyond confirming that it is a double-digit number,” Oslo Police Attorney Andreas Kruszewski said Friday.

3 Marius Borg Høiby has been slapped with a slew of rape and sexual assault charges. AP

The royal, who was previously known as “Little Marius” and has been open about being a one-time cocaine addict, cooperated when questioned by authorities, Kruszewski said.

Høiby is “absolutely taking the accusations very seriously,” his defense attorney, Petar Sekulic, said.

However, he “doesn’t acknowledge any wrongdoing in most of the cases – especially the cases regarding sexual abuse and violence,” his attorney stated.

Evidence leading to the charges came from interviews and also text messages, police said.

Høiby is facing one case of rape involving intercourse and two cases of rape without intercourse, as well as four cases of sexual assault and two cases of bodily harm.

3 Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway’s son, Marius Borg Høiby was hit with the charges on Friday. / SplashNews.com

3 Norway’s Princess Ingrid Alexandra (front center) poses for a family photo with (front, from left) King Harald V and Queen Sonja and (back, from left) Marit Tjessem, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, Crown Prince Haakon, Prince Sverre Magnus and Marius Borg Hoiby. NTB/AFP via Getty Images

He is free pending a possible trial as the royal palace reportedly told the Norwegian newswire NTB it would not comment while the case goes through “normal procedures.”

Høiby used to live with the royal couple and their two young adult children, Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus, but now lives in a different house nearby, his defense attorney said.

While Høiby had the same immense wealth and privileges as his half-siblings, he previously admitted to cocaine use and addiction. His biological father Morton Borg, served time in prison for drugs and violent offenses.

With Post wires.

OSLO, Norway (AP) — Oslo police on Friday announced charges against Marius Borg Høiby, the eldest son of Norway’s crown princess, on multiple counts including rape, sexual assault and bodily harm after a months-long investigation of a case that involved a “double-digit” number of alleged victims.

Høiby, the son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit and stepson of the heir to the throne, Crown Prince Haakon, has been under scrutiny since he was repeatedly arrested in 2024 amid allegations of rape and on preliminary charges of bodily harm and criminal damage.

Oslo Police Attorney Andreas Kruszewski said Høiby was cooperative during police questioning, which is now complete. Evidence in the case was drawn from sources including text-messages, witness testimonies and police searches, the police attorney said.

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The charges included one case of rape involving intercourse and two cases of rape without intercourse, four cases of sexual assault and two cases of bodily harm, Kruszewksi said at a news conference.

“I cannot go into further detail about the number of victims in the case beyond confirming that it is a double-digit number,” he said.

Defense attorney Petar Sekulic, in an email to The Associated Press, said Høiby was “absolutely taking the accusations very seriously, but doesn’t acknowledge any wrongdoing in most of the cases — especially the cases regarding sexual abuse and violence.”

The royal palace did not immediately respond to an e-mailed request from the AP seeking comment. The palace was quoted by the Norwegian newswire NTB saying it would not comment while the case winds its way through the “normal procedures.”

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The case was top news in Norway, where the royals are popular.

Høiby, 28, previously lived with the royal couple and their two children, Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus, but now lives in a separate house nearby, according to Sekulic.

Høiby remains free pending a possible trial and is entitled to a presumption of innocence until a court rules otherwise.

Once known affectionately as “Little Marius,” Høiby grew up in the public eye enjoying the same wealth and privilege as his royal siblings, although his biological father, Morton Borg, served time in prison for drugs and violent offenses. Hoiby has acknowledged cocaine use and addiction.

Norway’s future queen made headlines in 2001 when she married Haakon because she was a single mother who had lived a freewheeling life with a companion who had been convicted on drug charges.