Son of Norway’s crown princess arrested on suspicion of rape

The eldest son of Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit, Marius Borg Høiby, has been arrested on suspicion of rape, Norwegian police said on Tuesday. 

Borg Høiby, 27, the stepson of Crown Prince Haakon and son of Mette-Marit from a prior relationship, has no royal title or official duties. 

Police detained Borg Høiby late on Monday in Oslo on a preliminary charge of engaging in “sexual intercourse with someone who is unconscious or otherwise unable to resist the act”. A preliminary charge permits authorities to hold suspects during an investigation before any formal charges are filed. 

Authorities have not disclosed when the alleged rape took place. Borg Høiby has denied the accusation, according to Norwegian media.  

The alleged victim’s lawyer, Hege Salomon, told Norwegian broadcaster NRK that the woman “is having a hard time” and said that police had brought the case, not her client. The woman was not identified.

The royal palace had no comment on the arrest, Norwegian news agency NTB reported.

Borg Høiby was detained on 4 August after police responded to a disturbance in downtown Oslo. He faced preliminary charges of bodily harm and criminal damage in a case involving someone he knew, according to police.

More preliminary charges have since been filed against Borg Høiby, including violating several restraining orders and driving without a valid license.

The news has dominated headlines in Norway, where the royal family enjoys widespread popularity. Borg Høiby resides with the royal couple and their two children, Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus. 

Crown Princess Mette-Marit attracted attention in 2001 when she married Crown Prince Haakon as a single mother. Her past relationship with a man convicted of drug charges sparked significant public interest at the time.