Rape trial of Norway crown princess's son closes with prosecutors seeking over 7 years in prison

Lawyers for the eldest son of Norway's crown princess called on Thursday for his acquittal on charges of rape and a sentence of no more than 18 months for other offenses, as six weeks of high-profile court proceedings that have cast a shadow over the royal family drew to a close.

Prosecutors this week sought a prison sentence of seven years and seven months for Marius Borg Høiby, who denies the rape allegations. Judge Jon Sverdrup Efjestad said as he closed the hearings that a verdict is expected around the beginning of June.

Høiby, 29, is the son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit by a previous relationship and the stepson of Crown Prince Haakon, the heir to Norway’s throne. He is charged with 40 offenses in total, including four counts of rape between 2018 and 2024 involving women who prosecutors say were unable to give consent because they were asleep or otherwise incapacitated.

Defense lawyers for Høiby, who has no royal titles or official duties, said that there was no evidence to support the rape charges. He has, however, admitted to lesser offenses in the case.

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EDITOR’S NOTE: This story includes discussion of sexual assault. If you or someone you know needs help, please call 1-800-656-4673 for the national sexual assault hotline in the U.S. or +47 800 57 000 for the helpline for victims of sexual abuse in Norway.