Son of Norway's future Queen charged with four counts of rape

Norwegian prince Marius Borg Hoiby has been charged with four counts of rape and could face up to 10 years in prison. The 28-year-old son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit and stepson to the heir to the throne, Prince Haakon, appeared in court on Monday. After a lengthy investigation, the member of the Norwegian Royal Family was charged with 32 counts, including rape, abuse in a close relationship against one former partner, and acts of violence against another, making death threats, and traffic violations.

Hoiby allegedly assaulted the women while they were sleeping. He is currently free pending trial, and Oslo state attorney Sturla Henriksbo said there is currently no reason to arrest and jail him. The prosecutors' office estimates that the trial could begin in mid-January and take around six weeks, Norway's state-owned public broadcaster NRK reported.

Henriksbo, said: "This case is very serious. Rape and violence in close relationships are very serious acts that can leave lasting traces and destroy lives.

"The fact that Marius Borg Hoiby is a member of the royal family should, of course, not mean that he should be treated more lightly or more severely than if similar acts had been committed by others."

There is reportedly evidence in the form of text messages, witness statements, and findings from police searches, investigators said.

Hoiby was arrested last year on preliminary charges of rape, violence, and criminal damage, cooperating with police during questioning, CBS reports.

His defence team said that he takes the accusations seriously but doesn't acknowledge any wrongdoing in most of the cases, particularly those regarding sexual abuse and violence.

The royal palace said that it was up to the courts to handle the case and reach a decision, and had nothing to add beyond that.