Notorious royal prince charged with four counts of rape against different women amid slew of allegations
Marius Borg Høiby, 28, the son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit and stepson to heir to the throne Prince Haakon, appeared in court on Monday after more than a year-long police investigation, The Sun reports.
The disgraced royal is accused of 32 offences including rape, sexual assault and bodily harm.
The shocking claims include one count of rape involving intercourse, two without intercourse, four cases of sexual assault, and two of bodily harm.
In all instances, he allegedly assaulted the women while they were sleeping.
Høiby is also charged with abuse against his ex-partner Nora Haukland and acting violently towards another former girlfriend.
Presenting the indictment on Monday, State Attorney Sturla Henriksbø, said: 'This case is very serious. Rape and violence in close relationships are very serious acts that can leave lasting traces and destroy lives.'
The prosecutor added: 'The fact that Marius Borg Hoiby is a member of the royal family should, of course, not mean that he should be treated more lightly or more severely than if similar acts had been committed by others.'
The royal could face ten years in prison following a six-week trial in January, he told NRK.
Høiby was repeatedly arrested last year as the case unfolded, with preliminary charges of rape, violence and criminal damage.
Investigators say the evidence includes text messages, witness statements and findings from police searches.
The alleged royal rapist is said to have co-operated with police during questioning, CBS reports.
Høiby has no official public role and was born before his mother's 2001 marriage into the Norwegian royal family.
He was raised alongside Princess Ingrid Alexandra, 21, and Prince Sverre Magnus, 19, but now lives separately in a house near the family estate.
His lawyer, Petar Sekulic, previously said: 'He is absolutely taking the accusations very seriously, but doesn't acknowledge any wrongdoing in most of the cases — especially the cases regarding sexual abuse and violence.'
The latest charges come after a string of disturbing claims made earlier this year — including an alleged fifth rape said to have happened after his release from custody over a violent bust-up with his girlfriend.
He is also accused of raping unconscious TV star Linni Meister, 39, in 2018 at one of his wild 'Skaugum Festival' parties — allegedly held in the basement of the royal estate while Crown Prince Haakon reportedly slept upstairs.
The scandal exploded after Høiby was first arrested on August 4 over an alleged assault that left then-girlfriend Rebecca Helberg Arntsen hospitalised.
But her legal team has denied they were in a relationship.
A week after his arrest, he released a statement via his lawyer, saying he suffers from 'several mental disorders' and has 'struggled with substance abuse for a long time'.
It read: 'Last weekend something happened that should never have happened. I committed bodily harm and destroyed objects in an apartment in the intoxication of alcohol and cocaine after an argument.
'I have several mental disorders which mean that throughout my upbringing and adult life, I have had, and still have, challenges.'
'I have struggled with substance abuse for a long time, something I have been in treatment for in the past.
'The drug use and my diagnoses do not excuse what happened in the apartment at Frogner on the night of Sunday last weekend. I want to be responsible for what I have done, and will explain myself truthfully to the police.
'For me, the most important thing is to say sorry to my girlfriend. She deserved neither what happened that night, nor the extreme pressure from both the Norwegian and foreign press afterwards.'
Since then, he has reportedly spent time in rehab clinics in London and has been spotted in Copenhagen, almost unrecognisable with dyed hair, sunglasses and a hoodie.
He was arrested again in September for allegedly breaching a restraining order — and again in November on fresh rape charges.
Høiby was later banned from receiving visitors or letters while in custody, over fears he could tamper with evidence.
One clip unearthed by police reportedly shows him making a slapping gesture while allegedly describing how he 'broke up' with an ex.
The footage was said to have circulated among 50 people in his inner circle.
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