Son of Norway's crown princess to go on trial on rape and other charges

OSLO, Norway (AP) — The eldest son of Norway's crown princess will go on trial Tuesday on multiple charges including rape in a high-profile case that has been an embarrassment to the royal family.

Marius Borg Høiby is facing the Oslo district court after being indicted in August following a lengthy investigation. The indictment includes 38 counts, among them rape, abuse in a close relationship against one former partner, acts of violence against another and transporting 3.5 kilos (7.7 pounds) of marijuana. Other charges include making death threats and traffic violations.

Prosecutors have said the 29-year-old could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted at the trial, which is expected to last until mid-March.

Høiby is the son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit from a previous relationship and stepson of the heir to the throne, Crown Prince Haakon.

He has no royal title or official duties. He has been under scrutiny since he was repeatedly arrested in 2024 on various allegations of wrongdoing. He has remained free pending trial.

The indictment centers on four alleged rapes between 2018 and November 2024; alleged violence and threats against a former partner between the summer of 2022 and the fall of 2023; and two alleged acts of violence against a subsequent partner, along with violations of a restraining order.

Defense attorney Petar Sekulic said when Høiby was indicted that “our client denies all charges of sexual abuse, as well as the majority of the charges regarding violence.” He added that Høiby “will present a detailed account of his version of events before the court.”

In a rare statement, Haakon said Wednesday that he and Mette-Marit don't plan to be in the courtroom for the trial and that the royal house does not intend to comment during the proceedings.

He emphasized that Høiby is not party of the royal house and that, as a citizen of Norway, he has the same responsibilities and rights as all others. He said he is confident that all concerned will make the trial as orderly, proper and fair as possible.

The royals are generally popular in Norway but the Høiby case has cast a shadow on their image.

Tove Taalesen, a royal expert at the Nettavisen newspaper, said that it has been “a shocking one and half years for the Norwegian people because we really love our royal family.” She added that “we respect them and we look at King Harald as like our grandfather.”

Taalesen said there may be consequences in the future, “but for now, polls show that we still believe in King Harold and Queen Sonja and we feel we are compassionate also for what the royal family are going through.”

“We definitely have different opinions about the different members of the royal family,” she said. “But in general, I think we still have like sympathy for the crown prince and the crown princess.”

Still, the Høiby story hasn't been the only source of negative publicity for the royals. The business ventures of Haakon's sister, Princess Märtha Louise, have drawn repeated criticism. In 2024, around the same time Høiby's case was making news, she married an American self-professed shaman, Durek Verrett.

State Attorney and Prosecutor Sturla Henriksbo in the Oslo courthouse in Oslo, Norway, Monday, Feb. 2, 2026. (Lise Aserud/NTB Scanpix via AP)

Exterior view of the Oslo courthouse in Oslo, Norway, Monday, Feb. 2, 2026. (Lise Aserud/NTB Scanpix via AP)

Exterior view of the Oslo courthouse in Oslo, Norway, Monday, Feb. 2, 2026. (Lise Aserud/NTB Scanpix via AP)

FILE - Norway's Marius Borg Hoiby and Crown Princess Mette-Marit in Oslo, June 16, 2022. (Lise Aserud/NTB via AP, File)

LIVERPOOL, England (AP) — Liverpool won't have first-choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker back anytime soon.

The Brazil international's unspecified injury will keep him out of Saturday's FA Cup quarterfinal at Manchester City as well as the two-leg Champions League quarterfinal against Paris Saint-Germain, coach Arne Slot said Friday.

“He will not be part of the Paris Saint-Germain games as well. He will be out for a bit longer. Towards the end of the season we expect him to be fit again,” Slot said.

Alisson played Liverpool's 4-0 win over Galatasaray in the Champions League but then wasn't in the squad three days later for a 2-1 loss at Brighton in the Premier League. Giorgi Mamardashvili started in Alisson's place.

The 33-year-old Alisson, who has dealt with hamstring problems for the past two seasons, also missed Brazil's two friendlies during the international break.

Liverpool is fifth in the Premier League.

Alexander Isak could be a part of the squad Saturday. The striker definitely won't start, Slot said, as he returned to team training only Thursday after recovering from a broken ankle and fibula sustained Dec. 20.

“It will take a bit of time to give him a lot of minutes,” Slot said.

The 26-year-old Sweden international joined Liverpool last summer on a British-record transfer fee of $170 million after protracted negotiations with Newcastle.

Slot confirmed Mohamed Salah is fit and available. The Egypt star missed the game at Brighton — just before the international break — with a muscle injury.

Salah announced last week that he will be leaving Liverpool at the end of the season after nine years at a club where he has broken scoring records and established himself as one of the world’s best players.

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FILE - Liverpool's Alexander Isak, top, scores the opening goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Tottenham and Liverpool in London, Dec. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Ian Walton, File)