Ask Onix
Prosecutors demand lengthy prison term for Marius Borg Høiby
Norwegian prosecutors have called for a seven-year, seven-month jail sentence for Marius Borg Høiby, the 29-year-old son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit, on 39 of 40 charges, including four counts of rape and serious assault.
Trial nears conclusion after weeks of testimony
The high-profile case, which began in early February, is set to conclude this week. The three-judge panel will then deliberate before delivering a verdict. Høiby, who attended court on Wednesday as prosecutors wrapped up their arguments, has been at the center of intense media scrutiny throughout the trial.
Born before his mother's marriage to Norway's Crown Prince Haakon in 2001, Høiby grew up within the royal family but was never an official member. His legal team is expected to present their closing arguments later this week.
Denials and admissions in complex case
Høiby denies the most severe charges, including rape and aggravated assault, but has admitted to lesser offenses such as drug possession, traffic violations, and breaching a restraining order. He partially confessed to assaulting a woman in her apartment but rejected allegations of criminal abuse involving his former girlfriend, Nora Haukland.
During the trial, Høiby testified that all sexual encounters with the four alleged rape victims were consensual. However, prosecutors argued that the women were either asleep or incapacitated at the time of the assaults, citing videos found by police that allegedly show the victims in vulnerable states.
"I don't sleep with women who aren't awake," Høiby stated in his defense.
Prosecution highlights severity of charges
State prosecutor Sturla Henriksbø urged the court to focus on the evidence rather than Høiby's public image. "He is not a monster," Henriksbø said on Monday. "He should be judged for his actions, not his identity."
On Wednesday, Henriksbø and police attorney Andreas Kruszewski outlined their recommended sentences. They proposed two-year prison terms for three of the rape charges and a three-year term for the fourth, emphasizing the gravity of the offenses.
"Rape can leave lasting scars and destroy lives," Henriksbø told the court.
The prosecution dismissed Høiby's claim that prior consensual relations with the women justified his actions, stressing that the charges involved non-consensual acts.
Media frenzy and public backlash
The trial has dominated Norwegian headlines for nearly seven weeks, with daily coverage amplifying public scrutiny. Høiby expressed distress over the media portrayal of him, telling the court last week, "I'm not Marius anymore; I'm a monster."
The case has also drawn attention to Crown Princess Mette-Marit, who faced her own media storm earlier this year over revelations about her past contacts with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Additional charges and potential outcomes
Among the admitted offenses, Høiby faces an 11-month sentence for transporting 3.5 kilograms of marijuana, along with penalties for reckless driving and driving without a license. Legal analysts suggest he may receive a reduced sentence for the charges he has acknowledged, though the rape and assault allegations remain the focal point of the trial.
