More Than 20 Criminal Charges Including Three Sexual Assaults... What Will Happen to Crown Princess's Son in His 20s?

Police After 10-Month Investigation:
“Number of Victims Is in Double Digits”

The eldest son of Norway's Crown Princess has been referred to prosecutors after being investigated by police for more than 20 criminal charges, including sexual assault. He is the son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit and her former partner, and is not a member of the Norwegian royal family.

According to the BBC and other sources, on June 27, Oslo police announced that after a 10-month investigation, they had confirmed 23 criminal charges against Marius Borg Hoye (28), the son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit, and referred the case to prosecutors. The prosecution will decide whether to indict him.

Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway (right) and her eldest son Marius Borg Hoye. Photo by AFP

Police determined that Hoye faces three counts of sexual assault, four counts of sexual harassment, two counts of bodily harm, and one count each of abuse, property damage, and intimidation. He is also charged with five counts of violating restraining orders, one count of insulting a police officer, and five traffic violations. An Oslo police official stated, "We cannot disclose the exact number of victims, but we can confirm that it is in the double digits."

In response, the Norwegian royal family issued a brief statement, saying, "We have no comment regarding the ongoing judicial proceedings."

Since August last year, Hoye has been under investigation for multiple alleged crimes, including bodily harm, and has been questioned by police 14 times. He also spent a week in detention. Hoye's lawyer stated regarding these charges, "My client is taking the allegations very seriously, but he does not admit to any of the incidents, especially those related to sexual offenses."

Hoye is the stepson of Crown Prince Haakon, the heir to the Norwegian throne. Before marrying Crown Prince Haakon in 2001, Crown Princess Mette-Marit dated a mafia boss and raised Hoye as a single mother. When news spread that Crown Prince Haakon was dating a single mother with a history of drug use, the Norwegian parliament expressed its opposition, and the general public voiced strong dissatisfaction with the royal family.

However, King Harald V respected his son's wishes, and as a result, Haakon married Mette-Marit. Crown Prince Haakon and Mette-Marit have two children together: Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus.