<\/p>\n
Norway is awaiting the verdict in the high-profile criminal case involving Marius H\u00f8iby, the eldest son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit, with the ruling expected on Monday. H\u00f8iby, 29, will receive the verdict via video link due to unspecified health reasons, nearly three months after a trial that examined 40 charges, including four counts of rape.<\/p>\n
Prosecutors are seeking a prison sentence of seven years and seven months, while H\u00f8iby\u2019s defence team argues that a term of around 18 months would be more appropriate. He denies the most serious allegations but has admitted to several lesser offences involving drugs, traffic violations and breaching a restraining order.<\/p>\n
H\u00f8iby has been in custody since February after being detained on suspicion of assault and violating a restraining order involving a former girlfriend. Attempts by his lawyers to secure his release were repeatedly rejected by the courts.<\/p>\n
The case has unfolded against the backdrop of a personal crisis within Norway\u2019s royal household. Crown Princess Mette-Marit, who married into the royal family when H\u00f8iby was a child, is seriously ill and was recently placed on a lung transplant waiting list. According to her doctors, patients are generally placed on the list when they are believed to have a limited life expectancy.<\/p>\n
An appeal court recently denied H\u00f8iby temporary release to visit his mother. Since then, Crown Princess Mette-Marit and Crown Prince Haakon have been seen visiting him in prison.<\/p>\n
During the trial, prosecutors alleged that four women were raped while asleep or otherwise unable to consent. H\u00f8iby denies the allegations. The women involved were granted anonymity by the court. Several additional charges involve accusations of physical and psychological abuse against former partners.<\/p>\n
At one stage during the proceedings, H\u00f8iby became emotional in court and attributed his behaviour to his \u201cextreme need for affirmation\u201d and being \u201cknown for being mamma\u2019s son\u201d.<\/p>\n
The case has also renewed scrutiny of Norway\u2019s royal family, which has faced criticism in recent years over revelations concerning Crown Princess Mette-Marit\u2019s past friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Responding to questions earlier this year, she said she \u201cdidn\u2019t know he was a sex offender or a predator\u201d.<\/p>\n
First Published:<\/strong>
\nJune 14, 2026, 13:41 IST<\/p>\n<\/div>\n