Background
Marius Borg Høiby was born on January 13, 1997, as the son of Mette-Marit Tjessem Høiby and Morten Borg. When his mother married Norway's Crown Prince Haakon in 2001, Marius grew up in the Norwegian royal house, but has never held any official title or place in the line of succession. Marius is the older half-brother of Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus.
Despite his upbringing in the royal house, Marius has led a relatively private life without royal obligations. He has worked in fashion and media, including as an intern with designer Philipp Plein and as style editor for the British magazine Tempus. His connection to the royal house has, however, always made him a subject of media attention in Norway.
The Arrest in August 2024
In the early morning hours of August 4, 2024, Marius Borg Høiby was arrested by Oslo police following an incident in an apartment in central Oslo. He was charged with assault against his then-girlfriend and property damage. According to police information, he had allegedly inflicted physical violence on the woman and destroyed items in the apartment.
On August 14, 2024, Marius issued a statement through his lawyer in which he admitted to having committed violence under the influence of alcohol and cocaine. He apologized to his girlfriend and expressed that he would take responsibility for his actions. He also stated that he would begin treatment for substance abuse and mental health issues.
Expansion of Charges
The case developed significantly in September 2024 when two former girlfriends came forward with reports against Marius. Both women accused him of psychological violence and threats during their previous relationships. One woman claimed to have been subjected to violence, while the other described systematic psychological abuse.
On September 13, 2024, Marius Borg Høiby was arrested again, this time charged with violation of a restraining order. Police had previously imposed an order forbidding him from contacting the victim of the August incident, but he had apparently breached this order.
In November 2024, police expanded the charges to include rape of a woman who allegedly was unable to resist the act. Marius himself rejected this accusation through his lawyer.
Consequences for the Norwegian Royal House
The case has struck the Norwegian royal house hard and triggered extensive media coverage both in Norway and internationally. Crown Princess Mette-Marit has publicly expressed her concern for all those involved, while Crown Prince Haakon has described the situation as "serious."
The Norwegian royal house has traditionally enjoyed strong public support, but the case involving Marius has sparked debate about how the royal house has handled the matter and questions about whether Marius' upbringing in the royal sphere gave him a sense of being above the law.
The Victim's Statements
The victim of the August incident has, through her lawyer, described a violent episode in which she was subjected to physical violence, including blows to the head. She has described significant fear of Marius and stated that she had previously experienced problematic behavior from him.
The reports from the two former girlfriends revealed a pattern of controlling and threatening behavior over extended periods. Both women have described emotional trauma from the relationships.
Current Status
In August 2025, Marius was charged with four cases of rape and 34 additional crimes, including violence in intimate relationships. Additional charges were filed in early 2026. His trial began in Oslo District Court in early 2026, where he denied guilt in the rape charges but admitted to some crimes, including aggravated assault, reckless conduct, and transport of marijuana. He has been held in custody since February 2026. The trial concluded in March, with a verdict expected in June.
