The police in Oslo have charged Marius Borg Hoiby, 28, the eldest son of Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit, with serious offenses including multiple counts of rape and sexual assault. This decision follows an extensive investigation that has deeply affected the royal family, emphasizing the gravity of the situation surrounding royal engagements.
Borg Hoiby, who has been under scrutiny since his initial arrest in August for causing bodily harm and damages, has faced repeated questioning by law enforcement throughout the past months. He was also arrested for separate incidents in September and November related to rape allegations, leading to the current charges against him.
His attorney, Petar Sekulic, voiced that Borg Hoiby is treating the allegations with utmost seriousness, although he disputes most of the claims, particularly those linked to sexual violence. Sekulic highlighted that Borg Hoiby has been cooperative with the investigation and is optimistic about being exonerated if charges proceed to an indictment.
Having been just four years old when his mother married Crown Prince Haakon in 2001, Borg Hoiby has maintained a life without royal duties or titles. The gravity of the allegations against him, which now include a count of rape with intercourse, two counts without intercourse, and multiple counts of sexual misconduct, has intensified scrutiny on the royal family.
In an earlier admission to causing harm and property damage while under the influence, Borg Hoiby publicly expressed remorse and indicated his intention to seek help for substance-related issues.
In the coming months, prosecutors will decide on the next steps in the case, as the royal family navigates these troubling allegations that have resonated throughout Norway. This incident raises questions about the implications for the monarchy and its reputation moving forward.
