Marius Borg Høiby, the eldest son of Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit, was sentenced to four years in prison on Monday following his conviction on two counts of rape. The Oslo District Court acquitted him of two additional rape charges but found him guilty of assault and abuse in a close relationship. In addition to the prison term, Høiby was ordered to pay compensation to his victims.

Høiby, 29, was not physically present in court during the verdict due to health concerns; he participated remotely via video link from prison. His legal team stated after meeting with him that they intend to appeal the convictions related to rape and domestic abuse, and will seek his temporary release while the appeals process is underway. Defense lawyer Petar Sekulic said Høiby was “satisfied” with the acquittals but planned to challenge the findings on the two rape counts and abuse charges.

The charges against Høiby included allegations of sexually assaulting four women who were asleep or unable to resist between 2018 and 2024. He faced a total of 40 criminal charges, which also encompassed assault, drug-related offenses, and violations of a restraining order. While Høiby denied the rape accusations, he acknowledged involvement in some of the lesser offenses.

Prosecutors had recommended a sentence of seven years and seven months, while the defense argued for acquittal on the rape charges and a maximum 18-month sentence for admitted offenses. The six-week trial concluded in March after testimonies from multiple accusers and the presentation of evidence including messages, images, and videos retrieved from Høiby’s phone.

The case has attracted significant international attention due to Høiby’s connection to Norway’s royal family. Although he holds no official royal title or duties, he is the son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit from a relationship prior to her marriage to Crown Prince Haakon, the heir apparent to the Norwegian throne. Høiby was raised in the same household as the future king.

Interest in the case has intensified in recent days amid concerns over Mette-Marit’s health. The crown princess, who suffers from pulmonary fibrosis and is awaiting a lung transplant, has been central to legal discussions about whether her son should be temporarily released from custody before the verdict. Appeals courts have ruled that Høiby remain detained while the judgment was pending.

The trial has taken place against a backdrop of increased scrutiny of the royal family following revelations about Mette-Marit’s past connections with Jeffrey Epstein, the late convicted sex offender. The crown princess has publicly apologized for those associations, stating she exercised poor judgment but is not accused of any criminal wrongdoing.