Marius Borg Hoiby Acquitted of Rape Charges, Sentenced for Lesser Offenses

Marius Borg Hoiby, 29, who joined the royal family ⁠when his mother Mette-Marit married Haakon in 2001, ‌was acquitted on two other accounts of rape. He had pleaded not guilty ‌to the most severe accusations against him, including ⁠those ⁠of rape, while admitting to some lesser ones, and ‌can appeal the verdict.

Prosecutors had asked that Hoiby should be sentenced ‌to seven ‌years and seven months in prison.

The ‌seven-week trial gripped the Nordic country, detailing Hoiby’s ⁠drug addiction, self-made videos of sexual encounters and more ⁠than 800 electronic messages entered into evidence. One alleged rape took place in ‌the basement ‌of the crown prince’s family home, the court heard.

Interest in the case was boosted by the contrast between the picture-perfect royal family and Hoiby’s alleged actions ‌as heard in court, said Ketil Raknes, an associate professor in political communication at the Kristiania University of Applied Sciences.

The case, alongside other crises, has contributed to a decline in the popularity of the royal family.