Norwegian Crown Princess Mette-Marit's Son Receives Four-Year Prison Sentence for Rape

Marius Borg Høiby, 29, the son of Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit, has been found guilty of two counts of rape and sentenced to four years in prison. Oslo District Court acquitted him of two additional rape charges but convicted him on numerous other offences.

Prosecutors had sought a sentence of seven years and seven months for Høiby, while his defence counsel argued for a reduced term of 18 months. An appeal against the verdict remains an option for the defence.

Høiby was not physically present in court for the judgement, instead joining the proceedings remotely. Judge Jon Sverdrup Efjestad initiated Monday's session with a summary of the conclusions, followed by a 128-page ruling detailing the verdict.

Mette-Marit, Høiby's mother, joined the Norwegian royal family when Høiby was four years old. Despite growing up within the royal household, he does not hold a royal title. The Crown Princess is currently suffering from pulmonary fibrosis and has been placed on a lung transplant list. Høiby's legal team has repeatedly sought his release from custody, citing his mother's deteriorating health as a reason for him to spend time with her.