Marius Borg Høiby has started rehabilitation treatment for substance abuse as he awaits his trial.
In August, shockwaves reverberated around Norway when Høiby, 28, the stepson of the future King, Crown Prince Haakon, was charged with 32 offences.
The alleged acts include four rapes of four different women between 2018 and 2024, abuse against his former partner, Nora Haukland, and several acts of violence against another former partner. He has vehemently denied the charges.
Now, ahead of his January trial, which will span six weeks, Høiby is receiving treatment for substance abuse issues, his defence lawyers, Ellen Holager Andenæs and Petar Sekulic, confirmed to TV 2 Norway.
Sekulic commented on how the upcoming trial might impact Høiby, ‘It will be very tough for him. It’s not an easy situation to be in.’
Høiby has been open about his drug use in the past, and in a statement following his initial arrest for violence, threats, and vandalism in August last year, he admitted to having issues surrounding cocaine and alcohol use, and said that he would receive treatment for the problem.
He wrote at the time, ‘I have several mental disorders which mean that throughout my upbringing and adult life, I have had, and still have, challenges.’
The son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit said he wanted to be ‘responsible for what he had done’ and ‘explain himself truthfully to police’.
Marius Borg Høiby has started treatment for substance abuse as he awaits trial, which is due to take place in January (seen with his mother, Crown Princess Mette-Marit in 2022)
‘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,’ he said.
Then, in August this year, Høiby was charged with 32 offences, including rape.
On all occasions, Hoiby allegedly assaulted the women while they were sleeping and filmed the assaults. The assaults also allegedly occurred after Hoiby and the women had consensual intercourse.
He has also been charged with making death threats, assaulting a public official, and violating the Road Traffic Act.
Presenting the indictment in August, public prosecutor Sturla Henriksbø told NRK that he will face a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison following a six-week trial in January.
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.’
He later had his diplomatic passport revoked, according to reports, shortly after he enjoyed a five-day holiday in Portugal with his stepfather Prince Haakon and with his half-brother Prince Sverre Magnus.
The specific reasons why had to surrender the passport, are unknown, according to national paper Se og Hor.
Pictured: Norway’s Queen Sonja, King Harald, Prince Sverre Magnus, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, Princess Mette-Marit, and Prince Haakon
Høiby is reported to have had both a diplomatic and standard passport since he was young.
While members of the Royal House have diplomatic passports, other members of the Royal Family use standard ones after turning 18, under new rules that came into effect around six months ago.
Others who have the special documents include Prince Sverre Magnus, 19, Princess Märtha Louise, 53, and Princess Astrid, 93.
This means that Marius Borg Høiby, as well as Princess Märtha Louise’s three daughters, should travel using the normal Norwegian passports.
Travelling with a diplomatic passport entitled the holder to special treatment at most airports globally – but there are rules stating that the document should not be misused.
Høiby is only supposed to use his when travelling with other members of his family and it is not supposed to be used for private holiday trips.
While the investigation into him was ongoing, the future king’s stepson made a number of domestic and international trips, including to Cannes, Italy, and Monaco.
According to reports, it is believed that he used the diplomatic passport when travelling solo for his trips – which is misuse.
The case was top news in Norway, where the royals are popular.
Crown Prince Haakon told NRK in November last year: ‘Today, of course, we are thinking of all those affected.
The prince also said the police and legal system should now ‘be given room to do their job’, which he ‘trusts’ will be done in a ‘good way’.
In an interview with NRK, Norway’s public broadcasting group on Christmas day, the Crown Princess said: ‘If I had to choose one word for this year, it would be ‘challenging’.’
‘It has been a demanding year and a demanding autumn for us,’ Princess Mette-Marit added.
Following the incident, Høiby became the first ever royal family member to have been charged with a crime and is no longer publicly listed as part of the Scandinavian household.
The claims have taken a hit on the royal family, with backing for the household falling from 81 percent in 2017 to 62 percent last September.
Once known affectionately as ‘Little Marius’, Høiby grew up in the public eye, enjoying the same wealth and privilege as his royal siblings, although his biological father, Morten Borg, served time in prison for drugs and violent offences.
He has largely continued his life as normal since the charges came to light in August last year, and has since jetted off with friends to Hemsedal, Copenhagen and Italy.
The son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit has also spent time at rehab centres in London since his arrest.