Norway Frees Queen's Convicted Rapist Son for Funeral
Norway Frees Queen's Convicted Rapist Son for Funeral
The News
Marius Borg Hoiby, the son of Norway's new Queen Mette-Marit and a convicted rapist, will be allowed to leave house arrest to attend the funeral of King Harald V, Oslo police said Monday, according to AFP.
Hoiby, 29, was sentenced in June to four years in prison after an Oslo court convicted him of two counts of rape, assaulting his former girlfriend Nora Haukland, issuing threats, drug offenses and driving violations. He is under house arrest at the Skaugum Estate while he seeks an appeal.
Harald V died Friday at age 89 while being treated for haemolytic anaemia. His son became King Haakon VIII immediately. The funeral is set for Sept. 9.
Timeline
Hoiby is repeatedly arrested on preliminary charges including rape, bodily harm and criminal damage.
Oslo police announce charges on multiple counts including rape, sexual assault and bodily harm after a months-long investigation involving what police described as a double-digit number of alleged victims.
After a six-week trial, an Oslo court convicts Hoiby of two counts of rape and acquits him of two other rape counts. Judge Jon Sverdrup Efjestad hands down a four-year sentence after hearing evidence tied to 40 charges. Prosecutors presented more than 800 messages as evidence. Hoiby joined the verdict by video link rather than appearing in court.
Mette-Marit undergoes a lung transplant. She was diagnosed in 2018 with pulmonary fibrosis, a progressive disease that scars lung tissue and has no known cure.
Harald V dies at 89. His son Haakon, 53, becomes king, Mette-Marit becomes queen, and their daughter Ingrid Alexandra becomes crown princess and heir. The coffin arrives at the royal palace in Oslo from the hospital late that night.
The coffin is carried from the palace's Red Salon to the royal chapel, with Mette-Marit joining the procession in her first official appearance as queen. Police confirm Hoiby may leave house arrest for the funeral.
Reactions
Haakon has refused to cut his stepson out of the family record. A family portrait showing a young Hoiby leaning on his stepfather's shoulder sat on a cabinet behind the new king during his first televised address to the nation, filmed in the Hall of Mirrors at the Royal Palace, the Daily Mail reported. The palace also included a 2008 Christmas photograph featuring Hoiby in its official Instagram tribute to Harald, and released honeymoon photos showing Haakon carrying a four-year-old Hoiby on his shoulders — decisions some online critics called a mistake in light of the sentencing.
Before the trial, Haakon said: "Marius Borg Hoiby is not a member of the Royal House of Norway and is therefore autonomous. We care about him, and he is an important member of our family. He is a citizen of Norway and, as such, has the same responsibilities as everyone else - as well as the same rights."
He added that "it is reassuring to know that we live in a state governed by the rule of law," and said his thoughts were with "everyone who is affected by this case."
Hoiby has denied the most serious charges, including rape, while admitting some lesser offenses. His lawyer told CNN the defense is awaiting a court decision on whether an appeal will be heard.
What's Next
Haakon takes the oath to Norway's constitution on Tuesday. The public can begin paying respects at the royal chapel the same day, Norwegian broadcaster NRK reported, with the coffin remaining there until the Sept. 9 funeral.
The appeals court has yet to decide whether it will take up Hoiby's case.
More
The new king inherits a monarchy under strain. Beyond his stepson's conviction — one of the alleged rapes was said in court to have taken place in the basement of Haakon's own family home — Haakon faces continued fallout over his wife's past contacts with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Haakon and Mette-Marit visited Hoiby in custody before the sentencing but did not attend the trial.
Hoiby is Mette-Marit's son from a relationship before her 2001 marriage. He has never been a working royal and holds no title.
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