The son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway, Marius Borg Høiby, was arrested yesterday on suspicion of rape.

The 27-year-old was detained by the police, being the third time he has been arrested since August.

Marius is accused of violating the criminal code “which refers to sexual relations with an unconscious person or for other reasons who cannot resist the act”.

Police said in a statement: “What the police can say about rape is that it refers to a sexual act without intercourse. The victim is said to have been unable to resist the act.”

Crown Prince Haakon’s stepson was first arrested on August 4, 2024, after a late-night incident at a woman’s apartment in Oslo. King was accused of “physically and psychologically” assaulting the resident and causing damage to her home. Police said the pair were in a relationship.

In September, the royal was arrested a second time for violating a restraining order. He allegedly contacted the victim from a hidden phone number despite having a restraining order in place.

Yesterday, Marius was arrested again after new information came to light during an ongoing investigation.

Police said he was in a car with the alleged victim of the August incident at the time of his arrest.

On Tuesday, police also said suspicions in the August incident now include domestic abuse.

The police have not yet decided whether he will be remanded in custody.

Marius is Princess Mette-Marit’s eldest child and was born before Mette-Marit married Crown Prince Haakon – the heir to the Norwegian throne – in 2001.

He and his half-siblings – Princess Ingrid Alexandra, 20, and Prince Sverre Magnus, 18 – were raised together by Mette-Marit and Haakon.

Marius has no official public role.