Royal family member faces rape charges in Norway

The son of Norway’s crown princess faces 32 charges including rape, with a trial set for January.

Norway royal family member charged with rape and domestic violence

Marius Borg Hoiby, 28, faces 32 criminal offences including one count of rape with sexual intercourse and three counts of rape without intercourse. Prosecutors say some episodes were filmed on his mobile phone and that the charges carry a potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison if the most serious charges are proven. Hoiby denies the most serious accusations and plans to plead guilty to some lesser charges when his trial, expected to begin in January, starts, according to his lawyer. He does not hold a royal title and is outside the line of succession.

Police detained Hoiby in November last year as part of the inquiry. The prosecution identified a single named victim, Nora Haukland, in the assault allegation. The case also involves violence described as repeated hitting, choking and other acts. Hoiby has previously acknowledged harming a partner while under the influence of cocaine and alcohol and has a history of association with gang members and suspected criminals, including reports of contact with the Hells Angels. He was arrested in 2017 for cocaine use at a music festival. The palace says the case will be heard like any other, with no special treatment.

The case tests how Norway handles royal scrutiny. Even without a royal title, Hoiby’s links to the royal family place the proceedings in the public eye and test the idea that the law applies equally to everyone. The state emphasizes equal treatment, but public trust may hinge on how clearly the process is carried out. The controversy also raises questions about media coverage, accountability, and what accountability looks like when a member of a high profile family is involved.

If the case unfolds with transparency and fairness, it could bolster confidence in legal institutions. If it veers into sensationalism or perceived favoritism, it could deepen suspicion about the monarchy’s handling of wrongdoing.

Highlights

Public accountability remains the true test for a modern monarchy.