Norway's Future Queen, 21, Breaks Silence as Her Half-Brother Faces 32 Criminal Charges, Including Rape
- - Norway's Future Queen, 21, Breaks Silence as Her Half-Brother Faces 32 Criminal Charges, Including Rape
Janine HenniNovember 4, 2025 at 4:19 AM
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Abdullah Firas/ABACA/Shutterstock; LISE ASERUD/NTB/AFP via Getty
(Left) Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway on June 24, 2025; (Right) Marius Borg Hoiby on June 17, 2022 -
Princess Ingrid Alexandra is breaking her silence about the allegations around her half-brother, Marius Borg Høiby, before his criminal trial begins early next year
In August, Marius was charged with 32 crimes, including rape, domestic violence and assault
Crown Prince Haakon also spoke out after his stepson was charged over the summer
Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway is speaking out for the first time about her half-brother Marius Borg Høiby ahead of his upcoming criminal trial.
On Nov. 2, NRK published an interview with the future queen of Norway, in which she broke her silence about the allegations and situation involving her half-brother.
Marius, 28, will head to trial in February 2026, as he faces allegations of raping four women, AFP previously reported. Over the summer, Marius was charged with 32 crimes, including rape, domestic violence and assault, one year after his initial arrest, and if convicted, faces up to 10 years in prison.
Princess Ingrid Alexandra, 21, addressed a question about the situation around her half-brother during the rare interview from the University of Sydney in Australia, where she is currently studying for a bachelor's degree in social sciences.
Raquel Pires Photography / The Royal Court
Princess Ingrid Alexandra on the campus from the University of Sydney in a photo shared in July 2025.
"Of course it's difficult. Both for those of us who are around, for me as a sister, and for mom and dad. And, of course, for everyone affected by the case," Princess Ingrid Alexandra said, per an English translation.
The young royal was then asked what it was like to be "far away" as it all unfolded.
"Yes, it is... I don't know if I want to go into it much more than that," she told NRK.
Princess Ingrid Alexandra is the daughter of Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit, and she follows her father in the direct line of succession to the throne.
Crown Princess Mette-Marit, 52, welcomed Marius during a relationship prior to her marriage to Haakon, the future king of Norway, in 2001.
Marius is not in the line of succession to the throne and does not hold a working royal role, but he has joined the royals for dozens of official events through the years.
LISE ASERUD/NTB/AFP/Getty
Marius Borg Hoiby and Crown Princess Mette-Marit on June 16, 2022.
Marius' scandal began in August 2024, when he was apprehended after Norwegian authorities alleged he "attacked" a 20-year-old woman "psychologically and physically," Se og Hør reported at the time.
On Aug. 18 of this year, CBS and Reuters reported that Norway's state prosecutor charged Marius with 32 crimes, including one count of rape with sexual intercourse and three counts of rape without intercourse. Per the reports, he is accused of filming some of the alleged offenses.
Marius' attorney, Petar Sekulic, said that he will plead guilty to some lesser crimes, but disputes the most serious charges.
AFP reported that the trial will begin in the Oslo district court on Feb. 3 and is expected to run until March 13.
LISE ASERUD/NTB/AFP via Getty
Norway's Princess Ingrid Alexandra (front center) poses for a family photo with (front left and right) Norway's King Harald V and Norway's Queen Sonja and (back left to right) Marit Tjessem, Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit, Norway's Crown Prince Haakon, Norway's Prince Sverre Magnus and Marius Borg Hoiby on the occasion of a gala dinner for her 18th birthday in Oslo on June 17, 2022. Princess Ingrid Alexandra turned 18 on January 21, 2022.
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Crown Prince Haakon, 52, has emphasized that the royal family will continue working when his stepson's trial begins.
"We will continue to carry out our duties as best we can, as we always do," the heir to the throne said in August.
"Everyone involved in this case probably finds it challenging and difficult," he added.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org.
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