Ekhbary News Agency | 2024-05-15
Marius Borg Hoiby, the son of Norwegian Crown Princess Mette-Marit, received a four-year prison sentence after being found guilty of rape and other offenses. This verdict, it seems, intensifies the scrutiny on Norway's monarchy, which has faced an ongoing scandal over the princess's past associations with the late US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Details of the Conviction and Charges
The Oslo District Court on Monday convicted Hoiby, 29, on two counts of rape, domestic violence, and several other offenses. Prosecutors stated that Hoiby sexually assaulted women who were asleep or otherwise unable to resist between 2018 and 2024. Notably, one of the rapes for which he was convicted reportedly occurred in the basement of Skaugum, the official residence of Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit. He also faced convictions for abusing a former girlfriend, assaulting another partner, drug offenses, and traffic violations, though he denied the rape charges while admitting to cocaine use and assault.
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Royal Family's Stance Amidst the Scandal
Despite holding no royal title and performing no official duties, Hoiby grew up within the royal household, bringing international attention to his case. Crown Prince Haakon has sought to distance the royal house, asserting that Hoiby is not a member of the royal family and is accountable like any other Norwegian citizen. This situation highlights the inherent challenges royal families face in maintaining a pristine public image, even when dealing with the personal transgressions of those tangentially connected to the monarchy.
