Son of Norwegian princess arrested on suspicion of rape

The son of Norway's crown princess Mette-Marit, who is already facing charges of violence as part of an ongoing investigation, has been arrested on suspicion of rape.

Marius Borg Høiby, 27, is the stepson of the heir to the Norwegian throne, Crown Prince Haakon, but does not a have a royal title or official duties.

On Tuesday, Norwegian police said Mr Høiby had been charged with sexual intercourse with "someone who is unconscious or for other reasons is unable to resist the act".

Mr Høiby, who has reportedly denied the rape allegation, is facing a number of charges for offences allegedly committed against four other victims.

In a statement, police said the rape "concerns [a] sexual act without intercourse" and that the victim was "said to have been unable to resist the act".

According to local reports, the Norwegian palace has declined to comment on the latest arrest of Mr Høiby.

Mr Høiby was arrested by police at 23:12 CET on Monday in a car with a victim from a separate incident.

In relation to this separate incident, on 4 August, he faces charges of violence and criminal damage.

Police said on Tuesday that the charges had been expanded to include "maltreatment" in close relationships and "another violation" of a restraining order against the same victim.

They added that a report had been made for driving without a valid driver's licence.

Mr Høiby's residence at Skaugum, the official resident of the Crown Prince and his wife, has also been searched by police.

Mr Høiby has also previously been charged with abuse against ex-girlfriends Juliane Snekkestad and Nora Haukland, as well as with threatening a man.