Marius Borg Høiby, the stepson of the future Norwegian King, has lost his legal case against the publishers of a controversial new book claiming he’s linked to some of Europe’s ‘most notorious drug gangs’.
Hvite striper, sorte får – which translates to ‘White Stripes, Black Sheep’ – has caused a storm in Norway since it was published on October 20.
Published by Aschehoug Publishing House and written by investigative journalists Øistein Monsen and Torgeir Pedersen Krokfjord, it discusses ‘cocaine, drug gangs, and the Crown Princess’s son’.
Høiby, 28, is the son of Crown Princess Mette and has often been referred to as the ‘black sheep’ of the royal family. He has previously admitted to issues with cocaine and alcohol use, represented by the ‘white stripes’ depicted on the front cover.
He is already facing charges of rape and sexual assault, with a trial set to begin in January.
One of the book’s main claims centres around allegations that Høiby sold drugs at Karl John’s Gate in Oslo in 2023.
His representatives have denied the claims, while police chief Police Chief Ida Melbo Øystese denied that the police had observed him doing so.
This week, the Oslo District Court rejected Høiby’s request for a temporary injunction to halt sales of the book until ‘necessary edits’ had been made.
Marius Borg Høiby has been hit by claims in a controversial new book alleging links to some of Europe’s most notorious drug gangs (pictured with his mother Crown Princess Mette-Marit in 2022)
Hvite striper, sorte får – which translates to ‘White Stripes, Black Sheep’ – has caused a storm in Norway since it was published on October 20
Høiby is now set to pay 530,500 kroner in legal costs, with 460,000 going to Aschehoug and a further 70,500 to the Norwegian Publishers’ Association. This must be paid in the next two weeks and is in addition to his own legal fees.
Mads Nygaard, the publisher of Aschehoug, told VG following the decision: ‘This is an important decision, not only for this case, but for freedom of expression in Norway.’
Following the decision, as reported in Dagbladet, Høiby’s lawyer said: ‘We note that the court agrees with us that the claim about cocaine sales on Karl Johan is highly offensive and lacks a sufficient factual basis, and that the court has doubts about the legality of the use of images on the book’s cover.
‘We take note that the court nevertheless believes that the book should not be stopped.’
Guri Varpe, Head of Communications at the Palace, told Se og Hor that the legal costs won’t be paid by the ‘royal court nor the crown couple’.
The book will continue to be sold in Norway and beyond.
After it was published, Høiby hired lawyers to request a petition for a temporary injunction, saying the book contained privacy violations ‘far beyond what can be accepted’ as well as ‘serious insults and false allegations’.
Høiby demanded that Anchehoug should be prevented from selling the book and that books already on sale should be withdrawn until necessary edits were made. He also sought compensation.
Princess Ingrid Alexandra, Marius Borg Hoiby, Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit attend the celebrations of Princess Ingrid Alexandra’s Official Day in 2022
Høiby has been open about his drug use in the past. In a statement following his initial arrest for violence, threats, and vandalism in August last year, he admitted to having issues surrounding cocaine and alcohol use. He said that he would receive treatment for the problem.
He wrote at the time: ‘I have several mental disorders which mean that throughout my upbringing and adult life, I have had, and still have, challenges.’
The son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit said he wanted to be ‘responsible for what he had done’ and ‘explain himself truthfully to police’.
‘Something happened that should never have happened. I committed bodily harm and destroyed objects in an apartment in the intoxication of alcohol and cocaine after an argument,’ he said.
At the end of October, he started rehabilitation treatment for substance abuse, his lawyers confirmed to TV 2 Norway.
Høiby is Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s son from a previous relationship. She and Prince Haakon also share two children: Princess Ingrid and her younger brother, Prince Sverre Magnus, 19.
Once known affectionately as ‘Little Marius’, Høiby grew up in the public eye, enjoying the same wealth and privilege as his royal siblings, although his biological father, Morten Borg, served time in prison for drugs and violent offences.
In August, Høiby was charged with 32 offences, including rape.
On all occasions, Høiby allegedly assaulted the women while they were sleeping and filmed the assaults. The assaults also allegedly occurred after Høiby and the women had consensual intercourse.
He has also been charged with making death threats, assaulting a public official, and violating the Road Traffic Act.
Presenting the indictment in August, public prosecutor Sturla Henriksbø told NRK that he will face a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison following a six-week trial in January.
Henriksbø said: ‘This case is very serious. Rape and violence in close relationships are very serious acts that can leave lasting traces and destroy lives.’
He later had his diplomatic passport revoked, according to reports, shortly after he enjoyed a five-day holiday in Portugal with his stepfather Prince Haakon and with his half-brother Prince Sverre Magnus.
The case was top news in Norway, where the royals are popular.
Crown Prince Haakon has also addressed the charges, telling NRK in November last year: ‘Today, of course, we are thinking of all those affected.’
The prince also said the police and legal system should now ‘be given room to do their job’, which he ‘trusts’ will be done in a ‘good way’.
In an interview with NRK, Norway’s public broadcasting group on Christmas Day, the Crown Princess said: ‘If I had to choose one word for this year, it would be ‘challenging’.’
‘It has been a demanding year and a demanding autumn for us,’ Princess Mette-Marit added.
Following the incident, Høiby became the first ever royal family member to have been charged with a crime and is no longer publicly listed as part of the Scandinavian household.
The claims have taken a hit on the royal family, with backing for the household falling from 81 percent in 2017 to 62 percent last September.
The Daily Mail has reached out to the Norwegian Palace and representatives for Marius Borg Høiby for comment.