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Norway’s royal family is facing renewed scrutiny after Marius Borg Høiby, the son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit, was formally hit with new criminal charges just weeks before he is due to go on trial in a high-profile rape case. Prosecutors confirmed that fresh allegations have been added to the case, including a serious narcotics-related offence, intensifying what has already become one of Norway’s most closely watched legal battles in years.
Høiby, who is scheduled to stand trial in February, has been accused of raping four women in separate incidents spread across several years. The allegations reportedly relate to incidents in 2018, 2023 and 2024, including one that investigators say occurred even after a police investigation was already underway. The developments have sent shockwaves through Norway, not only because of the nature of the charges, but also because of Høiby’s close connection to the royal household.
Investigators have now expanded the list of accusations against him, adding offences that include a major drug-related charge along with other alleged violations linked to the wider investigation. While the prosecution has not publicly released every detail of the new counts, the addition of a serious narcotics offence has added another explosive layer to the case, raising deeper questions about lifestyle, access, and the events leading up to the alleged crimes.
Høiby has denied the most serious allegations, particularly the rape charges. His lawyer has previously stated that he does not accept claims of rape and domestic violence, though it has also been indicated that he may admit guilt in some lesser offences. In an earlier public statement made after his arrest, Høiby acknowledged that he had acted irresponsibly in the past, describing behaviour influenced by alcohol and drugs, and also referenced long-standing struggles with mental health issues and substance abuse.
The case first drew national attention after Høiby was arrested in August 2024, setting off a months-long investigation that has gradually widened. Since then, public interest has remained intense as authorities examined evidence, gathered statements, and built a case that has now grown to include multiple accusations spanning violence, drugs, and sexual assault claims. The situation has triggered heavy media focus and public debate over accountability, justice, and the way high-profile figures are treated within legal systems.
Høiby does not hold an official royal title and does not carry out public royal duties, but his connection to the future of Norway’s monarchy has made the case impossible to ignore. With trial proceedings approaching, the legal process is expected to play out under intense public attention, with prosecutors seeking to prove the charges and the defence preparing to contest the most serious claims. As Norway prepares for the courtroom battle, the latest charges ensure that this case will remain one of the most significant and controversial criminal proceedings the country has seen in recent times.
