Royal Son ARRESTED — Rape Trial Explodes

The son of Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit was arrested just hours before his trial on 38 criminal charges including rape, highlighting a stunning case that demonstrates no one is above the law—not even those connected to royal families.

Story Snapshot

Marius Borg Høiby arrested on new assault and knife threat charges days before his February 3 trial on 38 counts including four alleged rapes
Police requested four weeks’ detention citing serious reoffending risk as Høiby allegedly violated restraining orders while free pending trial
Crown Prince Haakon emphasized Høiby holds no royal title and will receive equal treatment under Norwegian law
Case coincides with renewed scrutiny of Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s past connection to Jeffrey Epstein
If convicted, Høiby faces up to 16 years in prison on charges spanning 2018 to 2024

Arrest Hours Before Major Trial

Oslo Police arrested Marius Borg Høiby on Sunday evening, February 1, 2026, on fresh charges of assault, threatening someone with a knife, and violating a restraining order. The 29-year-old was scheduled to stand trial just two days later on Tuesday, February 3, facing 38 criminal counts accumulated over years of alleged misconduct. Police officials requested a four-week detention period, arguing Høiby poses a significant risk of reoffending based on the pattern of allegations and restraining order violations while he remained free awaiting trial.

The timing underscores the gravity of the situation facing Norway’s royal family. Høiby’s trial at Oslo District Court, scheduled to run through March 19, includes four alleged rapes committed between 2018 and November 2024, multiple counts of violence and threats against ex-girlfriends during 2022 and 2023, marijuana transportation involving 7.7 pounds, death threats, and various traffic violations. Despite denying the sexual abuse charges and most violence allegations, Høiby has admitted to some minor offenses according to his defense team, whose lawyers could not be reached following the latest arrest.

Royal Family Distances From Scandal

Crown Prince Haakon, Norway’s heir apparent and Høiby’s stepfather, made clear statements last week emphasizing the royal family’s position. Haakon announced that neither he nor other royal family members would attend the trial or comment on the proceedings, expressing confidence in Norway’s legal system to deliver fair treatment. Critically, Haakon stressed that Høiby is not a member of the royal house and holds no title or official duties, reinforcing that he will face justice as any Norwegian citizen would under the law.

This distinction matters for conservatives who value equal application of law regardless of privilege or connection. Høiby was born in 1996 from Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s relationship before her marriage to Crown Prince Haakon. While he grew up in royal circles as the stepson of Norway’s future king, his lack of formal royal status means he receives no special legal protections. The case demonstrates how a functioning justice system treats everyone equally—a principle Americans hold dear when demanding accountability from elites who often seem to operate under different rules.

Pattern of Allegations and Victims’ Rights

The charges against Høiby reveal a disturbing pattern spanning multiple years and victims. His ex-girlfriends serve as plaintiffs in cases involving alleged rape, physical violence, and threats that led courts to impose strict no-contact restraining orders. Yet prosecutors argue Høiby violated these protective orders even while free pending trial, demonstrating disregard for both his victims’ safety and court authority. The new February arrest for assault and knife threats suggests the alleged behavior continued despite previous arrests throughout 2024 that culminated in an August indictment.

If convicted on all counts, Høiby could face up to 16 years in prison. The case has drawn intense media attention that will only escalate during the six-week trial, placing additional pressure on Norway’s royal family already dealing with recent scandals. These include Princess Märtha Louise’s controversial 2024 marriage to self-proclaimed shaman Durek Verrett and various business dealings that drew criticism. For conservatives frustrated with elites escaping consequences, this trial represents a test of whether justice systems truly hold powerful families accountable or merely offer performative equality while protecting the connected.

Epstein Connection Adds Royal Embarrassment

The Høiby case gained additional controversy from timing that brought renewed attention to Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s past. Documents released on Friday, January 30, 2026, mentioned Mette-Marit several hundred times regarding her connection to Jeffrey Epstein, according to Norwegian media reports verified by international outlets. The documents detailed how Mette-Marit borrowed property in 2013 through a mutual friend connected to Epstein. She previously expressed regret in 2019 for the contact, calling it poor judgment and expressing solidarity with Epstein’s victims. The fresh document release just days before her son’s arrest created a perfect storm of negative attention for Norway’s typically popular monarchy.