Norwegian Royal Family Faces Turmoil as Crown Princess’ Son Accused of Second Rape

Oslo, Norway — Marius Borg Høiby, the 27-year-old son of Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit, is facing mounting legal troubles after being accused of a second rape just days after his initial arrest for a similar offense.

During a detention hearing at Oslo District Court on Wednesday, police prosecutor Andreas Kruszewski announced that a new allegation had surfaced against Høiby. The Oslo Police District has requested his detention for two weeks to investigate both cases thoroughly.

“The reason for this request is that we have uncovered another rape case overnight and this morning. This was identified in the investigative material,” police said in a statement to CNN on Thursday.

The second allegation involves a sexual act, not intercourse, with a woman who was reportedly incapable of resisting, according to police. This brings the total accusations against Høiby to two, both categorized under Norway’s rape laws. Convictions for such offenses carry a maximum prison term of 10 years.

Høiby’s lawyer, Øyvind Bratlien, said his client denies criminal guilt for the sexual assault allegations. “For the other circumstances, he does not admit criminal guilt,” Bratlien stated, adding that Høiby only pleads guilty to a separate case involving bodily harm, criminal damage to an ex-girlfriend’s apartment, and issuing a threat.

The first alleged incident occurred earlier this week, prompting Høiby’s arrest on Monday night. Police stated that this accusation involves a “sexual act without intercourse” with a woman in her 20s, who reportedly did not know Høiby before the incident. Her lawyer, Hege Salomon, confirmed that the two were not in a relationship.

Norway’s Crown Prince Haakon addressed the accusations, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. “These are serious accusations that Marius is now facing. Today, we are of course thinking of all those affected,” he told public broadcaster NRK. Haakon added that he trusts the police and judicial system to handle the matter appropriately.

Høiby, who is not in the royal line of succession, was born before Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s marriage to Crown Prince Haakon in 2001. Despite his non-royal status, the case has placed immense scrutiny on the Norwegian royal family.

As investigations continue, the allegations have sparked widespread debate in Norway, with public attention focusing on the justice system’s handling of the case and the royal family’s response to the unfolding scandal.