Marius Borg Høiby, the son of Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit, has been sentenced to four years in prison after being found guilty of multiple offences, including two counts of rape.
The verdict was delivered by Oslo District Court, where judges convicted Høiby of raping two women and committing several other offences involving abuse and violence against former partners. He was acquitted on two additional rape charges.
Høiby was not physically present in court due to unspecified health reasons but attended the proceedings through a video link. Prosecutors had requested a prison sentence of seven years and seven months, while his defence team argued for a shorter sentence of 18 months.
The case involved allegations from six women. One of the victims was present in court and was seen in tears after judges found Høiby guilty of raping her. The court ruled that the woman had been unable to resist the assault because she was asleep or otherwise incapacitated at the time.
Judges also found Høiby guilty of abusing former girlfriend and influencer Nora Haukland, as well as causing serious bodily harm to another former partner. He was ordered to pay a total of 640,000 Norwegian kroner in compensation to four women affected by the offences.
Although Høiby is not a member of Norway's royal family by title, he was raised within royal circles after his mother married Crown Prince Haakon when he was a child. The case has attracted widespread public attention and has placed additional pressure on the monarchy.
The situation has been made more difficult by the declining health of Crown Princess Mette-Marit, who is suffering from pulmonary fibrosis and is currently on a lung transplant waiting list. Høiby's lawyers had previously requested his release from custody so he could spend time with his mother, but those requests were rejected by higher courts.
Legal representatives for Høiby have indicated that an appeal remains a possibility. The Norwegian royal palace has declined to comment on the verdict.
Royal observers say the case has damaged public perception of the royal family and created one of the most serious challenges the monarchy has faced in recent years. However, many believe public attention is increasingly focused on Crown Princess Mette-Marit's health as she awaits a life-saving lung transplant.
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