The 29-year-old stepson of Norway's Crown Prince Haakon has been sentenced to four years in prison after being found guilty on numerous charges.

Marius Borg Hoiby was found guilty of two counts of rape, one count of domestic violence and other crimes, an Oslo court ruled today (June 15).

He was also acquitted on two other accounts of rape.

Hoiby joined the Norwegian Royal Family when his mother Mette-Marit married Haakon in 2001.

The princess' son had pleaded not guilty to the most serious accusations made against him, including those of rape, while admitting to some lesser charges.

Prosecutors asked for him to be sentenced to seven years and seven months of prison, but he was given four, though he can appeal the verdict.

The son of the Norwegian Princess has been found guilty. Credit: Jeff Spicer/Getty Images for Tempus Magazine

Details of charges against Hoiby

The trial lasted seven weeks, with the nation's eyes firmly on the case, which revealed Hoiby's drug addiction, self-made videos of sexual encounters, and over 800 electronic messages included in evidence.

It was said that one alleged rape took place in the basement of the crown prince's family home.

The case highlighted the stark contrast between Hoiby's alleged behaviors and the seemingly perfect Norwegian Royal Family, according to Ketil Raknes, an associate professor in political communication at the Kristiania University of Applied Sciences.

It is said that this case, alongside other scandalous cases, has contributed to a decline in the popularity of the royal family.

Hoiby's mother, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, recently apologized for her "poor judgment" in staying in touch with late U.S. sex offender Jeffrey Epstein after his conviction in 2008.

Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit has been dealing with some health issues recently. Credit: Ole Hagen/Getty Images

Effects of the scandal on the Norwegian monarchy

A Norstat survey released on February 21 — during the trial — showed a fall in the number of Norwegians favoring keeping the monarchy to a record low of 60%, from 70% in January.

There was also a rise to 27% from 19% for those looking for a different system of governance, report NBC.

There seemed to be a recovery in popularity in May, as 64% of those polled supported the monarchy while just 23% looked for a new system of governance.

Raknes explained: “It was ... a perfect crisis for the royal family because they had two crises at the same time. And they had a lot of (criticism) for the way they handled the Epstein files.”

The expert suggested that the personal circumstances surrounding Mette-Marit may have changed people's perceptions of the verdict.

Hoiby's mother was placed on the national lung transplant list, as her health isn't improving following her pulmonary fibrosis diagnosis.

It means that she finds it hard to breathe, and without a transplant, she has around one year left to live.

Raknes went on: “The coverage is much more sober,

“People are seeing: ‘OK, this is a family who’s really struggling and this is not the time for ... playing ... the moral card as high as we maybe have done earlier in this case’.”

Featured image credit: Jeff Spicer/Getty Images for Tempus Magazine)

Norway's future king has spoken out as his stepson, Marius Borg Høiby, faces 32 criminal abuse charges, including four counts of rape.

Høiby, the 27-year-old son of the Norwegian crown princess Mette-Marit from a previous relationship, could face up to 10 years in prison if found guilty of the most serious charges.

The charges, which were made public on Monday (August 19), include allegations of illegally filming multiple women, including their genitals, without consent, raping four women, and abusing a former partner. He is also accused of harassment of police officers and traffic violations.

Høiby denies the most serious accusations but intends to admit to some lesser charges when his trial begins, according to his legal team.

His lawyer, Petar Sekulic, who is representing him alongside Ellen Holager Andaenæs, said in a statement: “Our client denies all charges of sexual abuse, as well as the majority of the charges regarding violence. He will present a detailed account of his version of events before the court," per The Guardian.

Høiby's step-dad, Crown Prince Haakon of Norway, addressed the matter during a press briefing, telling reporters: "We will continue to carry out our duties as best we can, as we always do," per Reuters. "Everyone involved in this case probably finds it challenging and difficult."

The case follows a year-long police investigation as Høiby was arrested in November 2024 and held in detention for a week before being released. His trial, which could begin as early as January, is expected to last around six weeks.

State attorney Sturla Henriksbø emphasized that Høiby’s status as part of the royal family will not mean that he is treated "more leniently or strictly than if similar acts were committed by others".

The Norwegian royal palace echoed this stance, saying the matter was for the courts to handle and that it had nothing further to add.

Princess Mette-Marit has previously described the strain the allegations have placed on the family. In the NRK program The Year of the Royal Family 2024, she said: “It has been a demanding year and a demanding autumn for us.”

Speaking about her son, she stressed his right to privacy and revealed that the family had sought “professional help” for some time.

“I don’t think we would have been able to be in a situation like this without having that help, together as a family, and at the same time fulfill our obligations to the Norwegian people,” she said, per PEOPLE.

Høiby was last seen in an official capacity with the royal family in June 2022, during the celebrations for Princess Ingrid Alexandra’s 18th birthday.

Featured image credit: Arnold Jerocki / Getty

​Prince Frederik of Luxembourg, the youngest son of Prince Robert and Princess Julie of Nassau, passed away on March 1 at the age of 22 due to complications from POLG Mitochondrial disease, a rare genetic disorder.

His father announced the news in a heartfelt statement on the POLG Foundation's website, an organization Frederik himself founded to raise awareness and seek a cure for the disease. ​

Born with this challenging condition, Frederik's symptoms became more pronounced around the age of 14, leading to a formal diagnosis. POLG Mitochondrial disease affects the body's ability to produce energy at the cellular level, resulting in progressive organ dysfunction.

Despite these challenges, Frederik remained positive and humorous, using his experience to establish the POLG Foundation, aiming to find treatments and a cure. ​

In his final days, Frederik's health declined significantly. On Rare Disease Day, February 28, he gathered his family to bid them farewell.

Despite his weakened state, he found the strength to share personal messages with each family member, even managing to share a joke, showcasing his enduring spirit. ​

Prince Robert expressed profound pride in his son's resilience and accomplishments.

He recalled Frederik's last question to him: "Papa, are you proud of me?" This poignant moment highlighted Frederik's desire for reassurance about his contributions and legacy. ​

Frederik's life, though short, was marked by a zest for life and a commitment to making a difference. He had a "lust for life" that helped him overcome the physical and mental challenges and surround himself with a wealth of friends. ​

The POLG Foundation, established by Frederik, will continue its mission to support research and raise awareness about POLG Mitochondrial disease. This endeavor stands as a testament to Frederik's dedication to others facing similar challenges. ​

Frederik's passing has deeply affected those who knew him. His family, while mourning their loss, finds comfort in the memories of his strength, humor, and unwavering spirit. They plan to honor his legacy by continuing the work he was passionate about, ensuring that his efforts to combat POLG disease endure. ​

In remembering Prince Frederik, the words of his father resonate: "He is my superhero." This sentiment encapsulates the admiration and love felt by his family and all who were touched by his life. 

Featured image credit: Grand Ducal Family of Luxembourg/Instagram

Prince Andrew has asked a judge to dismiss the sex abuse lawsuit against him by claiming Virginia Roberts Giuffre was over the age of consent.

Giuffre, nee Roberts, 38, claims that she was sexually assaulted by the Queen's second son three times: once in New York City, once in London at Maxwell's home, and once on Epstein's private island, known as Little St. James, in the US Virgin Islands, as per The Sun.

The 38-year-old filed a lawsuit in New York back in August. Prince Andrew has denied all allegations against him.

Roberts filed the case under the New York Child Victims' Act - which allowed victims to sue their alleged abusers if they were younger than 18 when it took place.

At the time, Virginia said she was holding Prince Andrew "accountable for what he did to me".

But the royal has asked a judge to throw out the lawsuit, claiming the legislation is "unconstitutional" and the "issue of consent is unsettled".

Per Independent, Prince Andrew's lawyer has argued for the civil claim against the royal to be thrown out by claiming that the woman who has accused him of sexual assault has a "tortured interpretation" of the law.

Hollywood-based lawyer Andrew Brettler is known for having represented many high-profile people that had been accused of sexual assault.

What's more, Brettler says the act is "not a reasonable mechanism to address the injustice of child sexual abuse in New York" as classifies those under the age of 18 as minors "even though the age of consent in New York is 17".

Prince Andrew argued, "the issue of consent is unsettled with regard to those - like Giuffre - who were between the ages of 17 and 18."

His lawyers wrote: "The Act revives claims for those who allegedly suffered harm as a result of certain sexual offenses they claim were committed against them when they were under the age of 18, even though the age of consent in New York is 17."

The legal team argued that accusers must establish a lack of consent by "implied threat" - but there are no third parties that can testify to the alleged abuse.

Andrew's lawyers added: "Here, the only witnesses to the purported implied threats under which Giuffre allegedly engaged in unconsented sex acts with Prince Andrew are Epstein (deceased), Maxwell (incarcerated), Prince Andrew (the accused) and Giuffre herself."

Featured image credit: Ian Hinchliffe / Alamy

Prince Andrew has finally accepted that he has been served with a sexual assault lawsuit.

The Duke of York has previously denied being properly served with sexual assault papers from Virginia Giuffre in the United States, who claims that he sexually assaulted her as a minor on more than one occasion, as per the Metro.

Lawyers for both Prince Andrew and Giuffre have now accepted that papers were served on September 21.

Giuffre, nee Roberts, 38, claims that she was sexually assaulted by the Queen's second son three times: once in New York City, once in London at Maxwell's home, and once on Epstein's private island, known as Little St. James, in the US Virgin Islands, as per The Sun.

Andrew, 61, has repeatedly denied the accusations made against him, and in a sensational interview with Newsnight last year, he denied having ever met Giuffre, despite the pair being photographed together.

Prince Andrew was served the papers in both the UK and the US.

Giuffre's lawyer, David Boies, told The Telegraph about why it was important to do so. "We present him with a copy of the complaint in a formal way," he explained. "Because he is a foreign citizen, we have to do this under the Hague Convention."

The Metro reports that the Duke would typically have 21 days to file his response to the complaint, however, according to the document, he has been given until October 29.

Per Politico, Giuffre is asking for "punitive damages" and a "trial by jury" because of the nature of the crime the Duke is accused of.

The lawsuit states, per BBC News: "Twenty years ago Prince Andrew's wealth, power, position, and connections enabled him to abuse a frightened, vulnerable child with no one there to protect her. It is long past the time for him to be held to account."

"In this country, no person, whether president or prince, is above the law, and no person, no matter how powerless or vulnerable, can be deprived of the law's protection," the documents continued.

The lawsuit is seeking unspecified damages from Prince Andrew.

Featured image credit: Alamy / Ian Hinchliffe