Crown Prince Haakon of Norway has spoken out as his stepson faces 32 criminal abuse charges. Norwegian outlet Se og Hør previously reported that Marius Borg Høiby, 27, was first arrested in August 2024 following accusations that he “attacked” a 20-year-old woman “psychologically and physically”.
Norway’s state prosecutor officially charged him with 32 crimes on August 18 – including one count of rape with sexual intercourse and three counts of rape without intercourse. Speaking about his stepson, Crown Prince Haakon of Norway has told reporters: “We will continue to carry out our duties as best we can, as we always do. Everyone involved in this case probably finds it challenging and difficult.”
Reuters reported that his attorney said Marius had pleaded guilty to the lesser crimes but disputes the most serious charges.
Sekulic said, according to Reuters: “He does not agree with the claims regarding rape and domestic violence.”
Marius is the son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit from prior to her marriage to Crown Prince Haakon in 2000.
The couple later welcomed two children together – Princess Ingrid Alexandra, 21, and Prince Sverre Magnus, 19.
Although his half-siblings are currently second and third in line to the throne, Marius doesn’t hold any royal titles and, in 2017, it was announced that he would not have a public role.
Marius was held for 30 hours following his arrest last August, before eventually being released.
Prosecutor Sturla Henriksbo told CBS the maximum penalty for the charges is 10 years in prison. The trial is expected to start in January 2026.
Speaking of the royal, he said: “The fact that Marius Borg Høiby is a member of the royal family should, of course, not mean that he should be treated more lightly or more severely than if similar acts had been committed by others.”
