Marius Borg Høiby

Marius Borg Høiby
Born (1997-01-13) 13 January 1997
Oslo, Norway
MotherMette-Marit Tjessem Høiby
Relatives
Criminal charge

Marius Borg Høiby (born 13 January 1997) is the son of Mette-Marit, Crown Princess of Norway and the stepson of Haakon, Crown Prince of Norway. Høiby was born before his mother married Prince Haakon and became crown princess of Norway; he is not part of the Norwegian royal family and does not serve in a public role.

Høiby was charged in August 2025 with 32 criminal counts, including rape and domestic violence. His trial is scheduled to take place from February 3 to March 13, 2026. The Høiby case has contributed to a decline in the Norwegian royal family's reputation.

Early life

Høiby was born on 13 January 1997[1] at Aker University Hospital in Oslo[2] to Mette-Marit Tjessem Høiby, then a waitress, and Morten Borg, a convicted felon.[3] At the time of Høiby's birth, Borg was in prison for drug-related violent crimes.[4][5][6] From 1997 to 1998, Høiby lived with his mother and her then-partner, a disc jockey.[7] From 1998 to 1999, he lived in Kristiansand with his mother and another disc jockey with whom she was in a relationship.[7][4]

When Mette-Marit entered the public spotlight as the girlfriend of Haakon, Crown Prince of Norway, Høiby was nicknamed "Little Marius" by the media. The nickname stuck; it was also used by Queen Sonja, who described "Little Marius" as "the world's cutest little bright guy, who is so charming and wonderful..."[4] The nickname is derived from a character in the 1883 novel Poison, who – like Høiby – is illegitimate and is a perceived outsider.[8]

Mette-Marit Tjessem Høiby and Prince Haakon announced their engagement in December 2000.[9] The fact that Mette-Marit was a single mother and the fact that Høiby's father was a convicted felon created controversy. TV 2 later wrote that "merely by existing, Marius Borg Høiby was seen by many as a scandal for the royal family."[4] The couple married on 25 August 2001. Høiby was four years of age.[10]

Høiby is not part of the Norwegian royal family and does not serve in a public role.[11][12] He is constitutionally barred from becoming king of Norway.[10] In a documentary filmed when Mette-Marit was pregnant with Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway, Princess Ragnhild, Mrs. Lorentzen, the sister of King Harald V, expressed concern about how things would turn out for Høiby, saying: 'I feel terribly sorry for her son. When they have a child, poor Marius will be nothing. He is six years old, but he will understand that there is a difference. That will cause problems for them. I hope they have thought it through'".[13] Høiby's maternal grandfather, Sven O. Høiby, spoke publicly about Høiby during his childhood, stating that his grandson should be given the title of prince to avoid feeling second-class and becoming a target of bullying.[4]

Høiby has multiple half- or step-siblings through each of his parents, including Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus on his mother's side.[14][15]

Education and career

Høiby graduated from high school in 2016. The following year, he began to study business in the United States,[16] but dropped out after a few months without completing a degree. In late 2017, Høiby moved back to Norway briefly before working as an intern for designer Philipp Plein.[17] He then worked as a style editor for the UK-based fashion magazine Tempus until its closure in December 2018.[18] In 2018, Høiby was referred to as a prince of Norway in Tempus. This event led to criticism from several Norwegian media outlets until the references were removed from print and from the magazine's website.[19]

Personal life

Høiby has had a series of high-profile relationships. He has dated heiress Linn Helena Nilsen,[17][20] model and actress Juliane Snekkestad,[21][22] and influencer Nora Haukland.[23]

In 2024, a police interrogation of Høiby revealed that Prince Haakon "together with the crown princess" paid his bills. Høiby received 20,000 kroner each month.[24][25]

Høiby has invited members of the Hells Angels criminal gang to events at his home that he called "Skaugum festivals" at which Mette-Marit personally received his guests. Drugs were consumed at these events.[26]

According to sociologist Trond Blindheim, Høiby "has traveled around as a kind of playboy".[27]

As of December 2024, Høiby had started a program of drug rehabilitation.[28]

As of 2025, Høiby does not have a diplomatic passport. In 2024, media stated that he had abused the privilege of holding a diplomatic passport.[29]

Drug possession

Høiby was convicted of drug possession in 2017 at the Palmesus festival at Bystranda in Kristiansand. He was fined 4000 Norwegian kroner for this incident.[30]

Alleged domestic violence and sex offenses

Høiby was arrested in August 2024.[31]

On 13 September 2024, police arrested Høiby. He was released the next day.[32] Results of a blood test were consistent with recent use of "cocaine, ecstasy and cannabis".[33] The following day, the media released recordings in which Høiby can be heard making multiple references to having slapped a girlfriend.[34] On 23 August, he was charged with having threatened the woman.[35][36]

On 18 November 2024, Høiby was arrested on suspicion of rape.[37] He was remanded to Hamar Prison,[38][39] where he was held incommunicado.[40][41] He was released on 27 November 2024.[42]

On 19 November, it was announced that Høiby was also charged with "abuse in close relationships," violating a restraining order, and driving without a valid driver's license.[41]

On 18 August 2025, state attorney Sturla Henriksbø presented the indictment against Høiby.[43] Høiby was charged with 32 criminal counts, including rape and domestic violence.[44][45] He was also charged with abuse in intimate relationships against his former partner Nora Haukland and with several acts of violence against another former partner.[43]

The media claims (as of November 2024) that Høiby and his family have received preferential treatment from police.[33] Mette-Marit has been accused of warning her son about his impending arrest and of evidence tampering and witness tampering.[46][47]

Høiby's trial is scheduled to take place from 3 February to 13 March 2026.[48][49]

The Høiby case has been described in Norwegian media as one of the most extensive rape investigations in recent years.[50] The case, together with controversies surrounding the King's son-in-law Durek Verrett, has been cited as contributing to a decline in the Norwegian royal family's reputation and increased debate about the future of the monarchy in Norway.[51][25]

See also

References

  1. ^ Tørre, David A. (18 June 2024), "Marius Borg Høiby", Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian), retrieved 16 August 2024
  2. ^ Conradi, Peter (1 January 2018). Great Survivors. Alma Books. ISBN 978-0-7145-4540-0.
  3. ^ "Meet Marius Borg Høiby, son of Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit, who was just arrested: the 27-year-old was detained for allegedly 'causing bodily harm' to a woman in Oslo". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 9 August 2024. Borg Høiby is the firstborn son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit and convicted felon Morten Borg [...] Little is known about his biological father and what his relationship is like with him today.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Fra slottsbalkongen til glattcella – her er "lille Marius" sitt liv i søkelyset". TV 2 (in Norwegian Bokmål). 10 August 2024. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
  5. ^ "Mette-Marit angrer på sin fortid". NRK. Retrieved 19 August 2025.
  6. ^ "Lite handling - mye griseprat". Dagbladet. Retrieved 19 August 2025.
  7. ^ a b Melnæs, Håvard (2005). Mette-Marit: Prinsesse mot alle odds. Oslo: Giga forlag. pp. 114–122. ISBN 8281560150.
  8. ^ "Son of Norway's crown princess arrested on suspicion of rape". The Washington Post. 20 November 2024. Retrieved 21 November 2024. He was nicknamed "Little Marius" after a character in Norwegian literature
  9. ^ Contino, Kristin (4 November 2024). "The Former Waitress Who Will Become Queen of Norway". Marie Claire.
  10. ^ a b "Norwegian prince ties the knot". BBC.com. 25 August 2001.
  11. ^ "Tordner: – En katastrofe". Dagbladet. Retrieved 10 August 2024. Til tross for at han ikke er kongelig og aldri har hatt en tittel, har han uten tvil blitt en offentlig person [Even though he is not a royal and has never held a title, he has undoubtedly become a public figure]
  12. ^ Crown Princess Mette-Marit. "Open letter from Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mette-Marit on the occasion of Marius' 20th birthday". Kongehuset.
  13. ^ "Lillelord Marius". Dagsavisen. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
  14. ^ "Who is Marius Borg Høiby, the Norwegian princess's son facing 23 criminal charges including rape?". 27 June 2025 – via The Economic Times - The Times of India.
  15. ^ "Celine Maktabi og Morten Borg: Marius Borg Høibys far skiller seg". Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  16. ^ "Norway's Marius Borg Hoiby to Quit Public Life". Peoplemag. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
  17. ^ a b Stavseng, Anders Johan (29 September 2017). "Mette-Marits sønn har kapret jobb hos kjent designer". Se og Hør (in Norwegian). Retrieved 16 August 2024.
  18. ^ Holøien, Martine (4 January 2019). "Marius Høiby og kjæresten har kjøpt bolig". Finansavisen.
  19. ^ "Marius Borg Høiby omtales som "prins" i sin nye jobb". TV 2 (in Norwegian Bokmål). 24 April 2018. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
  20. ^ Ighoubah, Farid (12 July 2016). ""Lille Marius" har funnet tonen med millionæren Linn Helena Nilsen". Klikk (in Norwegian Bokmål). Retrieved 16 August 2024.
  21. ^ Karlsen, Morten Ø (27 March 2018). "Se og Hør: – Marius er blitt samboer med modell". Nettavisen (in Norwegian). Retrieved 20 November 2024.
  22. ^ Solberg, Julie (3 March 2022). "Brudd for Marius Borg Høiby og Juliane Snekkestad". Nettavisen (in Norwegian). Retrieved 20 November 2024.
  23. ^ Johannessen, Benedicte (6 July 2023). "(+) Slutt for kjendisparet". fvn.no (in Norwegian Bokmål). Retrieved 20 November 2024.
  24. ^ "Høiby fikk 20.000 kroner fra foreldrene i måneden". Nettavisen.no. 3 December 2024. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
  25. ^ a b "Utenlandsk ekspert: – Hele kongehusets popularitet har kollapset". Nettavisen. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
  26. ^ Multiple sources:
  27. ^ "Høiby-tiltale: – Et evig mareritt for kongehuset". Nettavisen. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
  28. ^ "Høibys forsvarer: – Dro rett på rehabilitering". Nettavisen.no. 9 December 2024. Retrieved 9 December 2024.
  29. ^ "Marius fratatt diplomatpasset". Nettavisen.no. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
  30. ^ Fosse, Anders Lohne (20 August 2024). "Dagbladet: Høiby ble tatt for kokainbruk på festival i 2017". Nettavisen (in Norwegian). Retrieved 19 August 2025.
  31. ^ "Marius Borg Høiby: Son of Norway's crown princess charged with rape and abuse". www.bbc.com. 19 August 2025.
  32. ^ Andersen, Gordon; Vikås, Marianne; Tommelstad, Bjørnar; Christensen, Siri B.; Olsen, Preben Sørensen; Viskjer, Nora (20 September 2024). "Opplysninger til VG: Hytta stormet av maskerte politifolk". VG (in Norwegian). Retrieved 26 September 2024.
  33. ^ a b "Slottet varslet kronprinsparet om mulig pågripelse". VG.no. 1 November 2024. Retrieved 1 November 2024.
  34. ^ Hopperstad, Morten S.; Christensen, Siri B.; Tommelstad, Bjørnar; Viskjer, Nora (15 August 2024). "Voldssiktede Marius Borg Høiby i lydopptak: "Slo deg litt med flat hånd."" [Assault accused Marius Borg Høiby in audio recording: "Hit yourself a little with the flat of your hand."]. VG (in Norwegian). Retrieved 16 August 2024.
  35. ^ "Utvider siktelse mot Høiby til å omfatte trusler" [Expanding charges against Høiby to include threats]. Aftenposten (in Norwegian). 23 August 2024. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
  36. ^ "Marius Borg Høiby-skandalen: Raserte boligen på Skaugum". Seher.no. 1 October 2024. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  37. ^ Kwai, Isabelle (19 November 2024). "Son of Norway's Crown Princess Is Arrested on Suspicion of Rape". New York Times. Retrieved 19 November 2024.
  38. ^ "Marius Borg Høiby: På besøk i fengselet". Dagbladet. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
  39. ^ "Her venter pressen utenfor Hamar fengsel". Hamar Arbeiderblad. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
  40. ^ "Marius Borg Høiby varetektsfengsles i én uke". VG.no. 21 November 2024. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
  41. ^ a b Radnofsky, Caroline (19 November 2024). "Son of Norway's crown princess arrested over alleged rape". NBC News. Retrieved 19 November 2024.
  42. ^ "Son of Norway's crown princess released after a week in custody over rape allegations". Associated Press. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
  43. ^ a b "Son of Norway princess charged with four rapes: prosecutor". RTL Today. 18 August 2025. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
  44. ^ "Marius Borg Høiby tiltalt for fire voldtekter, mishandling i nære relasjoner, samt flere andre forhold". Aftenposten. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
  45. ^ "Marius Borg Høiby tiltalt for fire voldtekter". VG.no. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
  46. ^ "Mette-Marit advarte og ryddet før pågripelsen: – Sjokkerende". Seher. Retrieved 24 November 2024.
  47. ^ "Opplysninger til VG: Kronprinsessen skal ha varslet sønnen om pågripelsen". VG. Retrieved 24 November 2024.
  48. ^ https://www.vg.no/rampelys/i/al6aJ4/hoeiby-saken-datoen-for-rettsaken-er-klar. VG.no. Retrieved 2025-08-28
  49. ^ "Straffesaken mot Marius Borg Høiby: Politiet: Kan ikke si når vi er ferdig med etterforskningen av Høiby" [The criminal case against Marius Borg Høiby: Police: Can't say when we will finish the investigation into Høiby]. NRK (in Norwegian). 15 November 2024. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  50. ^ Multiple sources:
  51. ^ Multiple sources:
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