Prosecutors have requested a seven-year and seven-month jail sentence for Marius Borg Høiby, the son of Norwegian Crown Princess Mette-Marit. The prosecution argues that Høiby, 29, should be convicted on 39 out of the 40 charges he faces.
The charges include four counts of rape and serious assault, all of which Høiby denies. He maintains that all sexual encounters were consensual prior to the alleged rapes. His defense team was scheduled to present their closing arguments later.
The trial commenced in early February and is nearing its conclusion this week, after which the three judges will deliberate on their verdicts. Høiby was present in court on Wednesday as the prosecution concluded its case.
Born before his mother’s marriage to Norway’s Crown Prince in 2001, Høiby grew up within the royal family without officially being a member. He has pleaded guilty to several lesser offenses. These include a drug charge, traffic violations, and violating a restraining order.
He has partially admitted to a charge of assaulting a woman in her apartment. However, he disputes charges of criminal abuse related to his former girlfriend, Nora Haukland, with whom he reportedly maintained a close relationship.
After nearly seven weeks, the trial at Oslo district court has generated front-page news across Norway daily. Last week, during his testimony, the Crown Princess’s son spoke of the intense pressure from media coverage and feeling dehumanized. “I’m not Marius anymore, I’m a monster,” he stated.
Coinciding with the trial’s start in February, the Crown Princess herself was under public scrutiny due to revelations concerning her past contacts with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
State prosecutor Sturla Henriksbø began his closing statement on Monday, asserting that Høiby should be judged based on his actions, not his identity. Henriksbø told the court that three of the rape accusations warrant a two-year prison term, while a fourth should receive three years.
The prosecution highlighted that in all four alleged rape cases, the women were either asleep or incapacitated. Høiby testified earlier in the proceedings, stating, “I don’t sleep with women who aren’t awake.”
Police found videos of the women from the time of the alleged incidents in three of the cases. Høiby is accused of filming them without consent. The condition of the women during the alleged rapes has become a central focus of the trial.
The state prosecutor emphasized on Wednesday that any prior consensual sexual intercourse was irrelevant to the case. He further underscored the seriousness of rape and abuse charges within relationships, stating, “Rape can leave lasting scars and destroy lives.”
While Høiby’s defense attorneys have denied the most severe charges of rape and assault, legal commentators anticipate a potentially reduced sentence for the offenses he has admitted. These include transporting 3.5 kilograms of marijuana, reckless driving, and driving without a valid license. The drug charge alone could result in an 11-month jail sentence.