Prosecutors in the trial of Marius Borg Høiby, son of Norwegian Crown Princess Mette-Marit, have requested a jail term of seven years and seven months, arguing he should be found guilty of 39 of the 40 charges he faces.
The 29-year-old denies the most serious charges, including four counts of rape as well as serious assault, maintaining that he had consensual relations with the women involved.
The trial began in early February and is due to conclude soon, with judges set to deliberate on the verdict following the prosecution's case closure. Høiby was born before his mother married Norway's crown prince and grew up in the royal family without being a formal member.
Despite admitting to lesser charges related to drug possession and traffic violations, he has pushed back against the rape allegations, claiming the encounters were consensual.
The state prosecutor, Sturla Henriksbø, emphasized that Høiby should not be judged by his lineage but rather on the actions he has taken, arguing for a substantial sentence given the gravity of the offences. The revelations surrounding Høiby have stirred significant public interest, with daily updates dominating headlines across Norway.
