Son of Norway's future Queen facing charges of rape and sexual assault

Marius Borg Hoiby, the son of Norway's future Queen, is facing multiple counts including rape, sexual assault and bodily harm. Crown Princess Mette-Marit's son from a previous relationship has received his charges from Oslo police after a months-long investigation of a case that involved a "double-digit" number of alleged victims.

Hoiby is the stepson of the heir to the throne, Crown Prince Haakon, and has been under scrutiny since he was repeatedly arrested in 2024 amid allegations of rape and on preliminary charges of bodily harm and criminal damage.

Evidence in the case was drawn from sources including text messages, witness evidence and police searches, he said.

Oslo police lawyer Andreas Kruszewski said Hoiby was co-operative during police questioning, which has now come to an end.

The charges included one case of rape involving intercourse and two cases of rape without intercourse, four cases of sexual assault and two cases of bodily harm, Mr Kruszewksi said at a news conference.

"I cannot go into further detail about the number of victims in the case beyond confirming that it is a double-digit number," he said.

Defence lawyer Petar Sekulic, in an email to The Associated Press, said Hoiby was "absolutely taking the accusations very seriously, but doesn't acknowledge any wrongdoing in most of the cases, especially the cases regarding sexual abuse and violence."

Hoiby previously lived with his mother and stepfather and their two children, Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus, but now lives in a separate house nearby, according to Mr Sekulic.

Hoiby remains free pending a possible trial and is entitled to a presumption of innocence until a court rules otherwise.

Norway's future Queen, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, made headlines in 2001 when she married Crown Prince Haakon, because she was a single mother who had lived with a companion who had been convicted on drug charges.