Princess's son faces new charges just days before rape trial set to start

Fintan Starkey

By Fintan Starkey


Published: 26/01/2026

- 22:39

Updated: 26/01/2026

- 22:43

The trial is set to begin next week

Marius Borg Høiby, the eldest son of Norwegian Crown Princess Mette-Marit, is facing six additional charges just days before his trial commences in the Norwegian capital.

The 29-year-old now confronts a total of 38 counts, with proceedings scheduled to begin on February 3 in Oslo and expected to continue until mid-March.


Among the existing 32 charges are allegations of rape, domestic abuse against a former partner, violence towards another individual, issuing death threats, and multiple motoring offences.

The fresh accusations include drug trafficking, which prosecutors consider the most severe of the newly added counts.

Marius Borg H\u00f8iby

Marius Borg Høiby has had six additional charges against him just days before his trial is set to start

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Should he be found guilty, Mr Høiby faces a potential prison term of up to a decade, according to State Attorney Sturla Henriksbø, who described the case as "very serious" when charges were formally brought in August 2025.

The most significant of the new allegations relates to an incident in July 2020, when Mr Høiby allegedly received and transported a minimum of three and a half kilograms of cannabis across Norway before delivering it to another individual.

This drug trafficking charge represents a substantial escalation in the severity of accusations against the Crown Princess's son.

The remaining five new counts comprise two alleged breaches of a restraining order and three further violations of traffic legislation.

These additional motoring offences add to the numerous driving-related charges already forming part of the case against him.

The trial, which will examine all 38 counts, is anticipated to be a lengthy affair, with court proceedings expected to span approximately six weeks from early February through to the middle of March.

Crown Princess Mette-Marit broke her silence in December alongside other members of the royal household, including Crown Prince Haakon, King Harald and Queen Sonja.

The future Queen of Norway firmly denied accusations that she had warned her son about his impending arrest through a telephone call.

Crown Princess Mette-Marit, Marius Borg H\u00f8iby

Crown Princess Mette-Marit has spoken on her disappointment after being alleged to have warned Marius Borg Høiby about his arrest

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"I think it's been quite a strain to be accused of such serious things, which of course I did not do," she told The Times.

She expressed particular distress at suggestions the family had failed to take the situation seriously, stating: "The thing that perhaps upsets me the most is being criticised for how we've handled it as parents, that we didn't take it seriously. I find that hard."

The Crown Princess confirmed that professional assistance had been sought for her son, adding that parenting involves "an incredible amount of self-blame".

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She emphasised that the family believed the matter belonged within the legal system, adding: "We don't wish to comment on the case itself or on private matters until the legal system has dealt with it."

King Harald, Marius's step-grandfather, indicated the royal household would attempt to maintain normal operations despite the circumstances.

"I'd like to say that we feel for all those who are affected. We feel for them and hope they will be OK and get better after the trial," the monarch stated.

Crown Prince Haakon of Norway, Marius Borg H\u00f8iby

Marius Borg Høiby's trial is set to begin next week

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State Attorney Henriksbø made clear when announcing the charges last August that Mr Høiby's connection to the royal family should have no bearing on how the case is handled.

He stressed that the defendant's status would not entitle him to preferential treatment or any form of leniency under Norwegian law.