Headlines
Norway Prosecutor Seeks More Than Seven Years in Prison for Stepson of Crown Prince
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 18, 2026
3 min readLast updated: March 18, 2026
Quick Summary
Norwegian prosecutors are seeking a prison sentence of 7 years and 7 months for Marius Borg Høiby, stepson of Crown Prince Haakon, on charges including rape and domestic abuse. The case, which includes 38 counts, has intensified scrutiny on the monarchy and coincides with controversy over Crown Prin
Norway Prosecutor Seeks 7+ Year Sentence for Crown Prince’s Stepson in Oslo Trial
Oslo Court Hears High-Profile Case Involving Royal Family Member
Prosecutor Outlines Charges and Requested Sentence
OSLO, March 18 (Reuters) - The stepson of Norway's crown prince should be sentenced to seven years and seven months in prison on charges of raping four women as well as domestic abuse and other crimes, the prosecutor in the trial told an Oslo court on Wednesday.
Background on Marius Borg Hoiby
Marius Borg Hoiby, 29, who joined the royal family when his mother Mette-Marit married Crown Prince Haakon in 2001, has pleaded not guilty to the most severe accusations against him, including those of rape, while admitting to some lesser charges.
Details of the Trial
The seven-week trial, which is due to end on Thursday, has transfixed the Nordic country, detailing Hoiby's drug addiction, self-made videos of sexual encounters and more than 800 electronic messages entered into evidence.
Impact on the Norwegian Monarchy
Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s Apology
The trial coincided with Crown Princess Mette-Marit's apology for "poor judgment" in maintaining contact with the late U.S. sex offender Jeffrey Epstein after he was convicted in 2008.
Public Opinion and Monarchy Popularity
Both events have hurt the overall popularity of the monarchy, according to opinion polls.
Legal Proceedings and Testimonies
Prosecutor’s Arguments
Lead prosecutor Sturla Henriksboe on Wednesday set out the sentence he was seeking for the 40 charges against Hoiby, which included several counts of rape which investigators said happened when the alleged victims were sleeping or unconscious.
Hoiby’s Plea and Admitted Charges
Hoiby pleaded guilty at the start of the trial to charges that carry lighter sentences, including offensive sexual behaviour, driving too fast and driving without a valid licence.
Equality Before the Law
Henriksboe told the court that Hoiby must be treated like any other Norwegian, facing neither tougher nor milder punishment for being part of the country's most prominent family.
Media Coverage and Personal Impact
But in tearful testimony last week, Hoiby said heavy media coverage of his trial had made him "an object of hatred" and portrayed him as a monster, leading to anxiety and clinical depression.
Closing Arguments
"Hoiby is no monster. None of us are," Henriksboe said at the beginning of his closing argument on Monday. "He must not be sentenced for who he is, but for what he did."
(Reporting by Terje Solsvik;Editing by Alison Williams)
Key Takeaways
- •Prosecutors have requested a 7-year, 7‑month prison term for Marius Borg Høiby on rape, abuse and other charges, underscoring equal treatment under the law regardless of royal connections.
- •The trial — involving graphic evidence like videos and messages and detailing alleged assaults on sleeping or unconscious victims — has held national attention and is set to conclude March 19, with verdict expected in May.
- •Concurrently, public confidence in Norway’s monarchy has eroded: polls show support for the institution and for Mette‑Marit becoming queen have dropped sharply amid the Epstein revelations.
Frequently Asked Questions about Norway prosecutor seeks more than seven years in prison for stepson of crown prince
1Who is Marius Borg Hoiby?
Marius Borg Hoiby is the stepson of Norway's crown prince, Haakon, joining the royal family in 2001 when his mother married the prince.
2What charges is Marius Borg Hoiby facing?
He is charged with raping four women, domestic abuse, and several other crimes, totaling 40 charges.
3What sentence did the prosecutor request?
The prosecutor in Oslo sought a prison sentence of seven years and seven months for Hoiby.
4How has the trial impacted the Norwegian monarchy?
Both the trial and unrelated controversies involving the royal family have reportedly hurt the monarchy's popularity, according to opinion polls.
5What has Marius Borg Hoiby admitted to?
He has pleaded not guilty to the most serious charges but admitted to lesser charges such as offensive sexual behaviour and driving offenses.
