Crown prince of Norway's stepson jailed for four years over two rapes

The stepson of Norway's Crown Prince Haakon has been jailed for two rapes - including one in the basement of his family's home.

Marius Borg Hoiby, who joined the royal family when his mother Mette-Marit married Haakon in 2001, was found guilty in an Oslo court of two counts of rape, as well as domestic violence and other crimes.

He was also convicted of assault and abuse of women he was in a relationship with. One of the sex attacks was carried out in the crown prince's home.

The 29-year-old had been charged with sexually assaulting four women who were asleep or unable to resist between 2018 and 2024. He was acquitted on two of the rape charges.

One of the women accusing him of rape was in court to hear the verdict. She cried after the judge said Hoiby was guilty of raping her.

Hoiby faced a total of 40 criminal charges, including lesser offences like assault, drug-related crimes and violations of a restraining order.

He pleaded not guilty to the most severe accusations against him, including those of rape and domestic violence, while admitting he was partially guilty - a plea allowed under Norwegian law - of aggravated assault and reckless behaviour.

Hoiby, who is outside the line of royal succession and has no title, was sentenced to four years in prison. Prosecutors had sought seven years and seven months in jail. He can appeal the verdict.

His trial detailed Hoiby's drug addiction, self-made videos of sexual encounters - including some relating to charges against him, according to prosecutors - and more than 800 electronic messages entered into evidence.

In February, during his first day on the witness stand, Hoiby broke down in tears, saying: "I have been surrounded by the press since I was three. I have been harassed ever ‌since."

Hoiby spoke about growing up as the son of a crown princess, saying: "I have an extreme need for affirmation. A lot of sex, a lot of alcohol. Few can relate to the life I have led. A lot of parties, alcohol, some drugs."

Case dented popularity of Norwegian royals

The case has shaken the popularity of the Norwegian royal family, which has historically enjoyed high favourability ratings.

The number of Norwegians who were in favour of keeping the monarchy fell to a record low of 60% during the trial, according to a Norstat survey in February.

This was down from 70% in January, and a rise to 27% from 19% in those wanting a different system of governance.

In May, the royal family recovered somewhat in popularity, with 64% polled by Norstat supporting the monarchy and 23% wanting a different system of governance.

Interest in the case was boosted by the contrast between the picture-perfect royal family and Hoiby's alleged actions heard in court, according to Ketil Raknes, an associate professor in political communication at the Kristiania University of Applied Sciences.

But Hoiby's case wasn't the only thing to have contributed to the popularity crisis of the royal family.

It coincided with Hoiby's mother, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, coming under intense scrutiny over her ties with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. In February, she apologised for "poor judgment" in maintaining contact with Epstein after he was convicted in 2008.

"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," Mr Raknes said.

His mother has 'a year left to live'

Hoiby's verdict comes as his mother is suffering from serious medical conditions. A week ago, the royal family announced that Mette-Marit, 52, was placed on a lung transplant list.

She was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, a progressive disease that damages and scars lung tissue, in 2018. It can cause serious breathing problems, and there is no known cure.

Read more from Sky News:
Oil prices drop after US-Iran deal
Police clash with G7 protesters

Her health has severely deteriorated, and without a transplant, she has around a year left to live, her doctors said.

This changed some people's perceptions ahead of the verdict, Mr Raknes said.

"The coverage is much more sober," he said. "People are saying: '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'."

(c) Sky News 2026: Crown prince of Norway's stepson jailed for four years over two rapes