Judges at Oslo District Court will hand down their decision early Monday in the case of Marius Borg Høiby, stepson of Norway's crown princess, revealing the length of any prison term.

The 29-year-old will join the hearing by video because of health concerns, months after the trial concluded on dozens of charges that include four rape counts. He rejects the gravest accusations yet accepts responsibility for some drug and traffic violations.

Prosecutors have requested a sentence of seven years and seven months, while defense counsel argue for just 18 months behind bars.

Høiby, whose mother joined the royal family when he was a young child, has remained in custody since early February.

Authorities took him into custody just before the trial opened on suspicion of assault and breaching a protection order tied to a former partner.

His legal team has repeatedly sought his release without success.

Crown Princess Mette-Marit is seriously unwell, and an appeals court recently denied a request for temporary release so he could visit her.

She was added to a lung transplant waiting list over a week ago, with doctors indicating patients in her position typically have about a year to live.

She has since been photographed visiting her son in detention alongside Crown Prince Haakon.

The situation paints a portrait of a family under strain.

Public sympathy runs high for the crown princess as the case nears its conclusion, a shift from the trial's opening when anger surfaced over her past ties to the late Jeffrey Epstein.

She has paused official duties and now uses a nasal tube for breathing support.

That sympathy has not halted debate about the monarchy's future amid ongoing turbulence, leaving King Harald and Queen Sonja with limited options.

Høiby was never formally part of the royal household, yet he grew up with his royal siblings, and a lengthy sentence would affect them all.

Throughout the proceedings the future king and queen stayed away from court, with Crown Prince Haakon balancing support for Høiby against concern for the women who testified.

The four women alleging rape kept their identities private, and images of them or the defendant were prohibited.

Anonymity did not cover a well-known former partner and influencer, Nora Haukland, whom he denies abusing, striking or choking.

As the sole publicly identifiable woman involved, images of her departing court appeared widely in the media.

In a trial that relied on sketches, her face stood out to the public.

Prosecutors claim the four rapes occurred while the women were asleep or unable to consent after initial consensual encounters, a claim Høiby disputes. One alleged incident involved intercourse.

They seek three years for one rape count and two years for each of the others, though Norwegian law does not add terms consecutively.

The exact method judges use to reach a total sentence may remain unclear, notes criminology professor May-Len Skilbrei.

Convictions are sought on 39 of the 40 charges, many involving psychological and physical abuse of ex-partners.

Several counts center on one woman from Oslo's upscale Frogner district.

Høiby has admitted some serious physical harm and abuse in that matter but denies filming anyone without consent.

The charges he accepts include transporting 3.5 kilograms of marijuana, driving without a license, reckless driving and violating a restraining order.

Days before the verdict he was transferred to Ila prison outside Oslo.

His reaction to the sentence via video will be seen only by those in the courtroom and overflow rooms.

The outcome closes a chapter that began with his arrest in August 2024, yet leaves unresolved family issues raised decades ago by Princess Ragnhild.

Høiby was six when she remarked that the crown prince and princess having a child would leave Marius sidelined.

Broader questions about the royal family will persist.

Commentators describe an institutional and trust crisis that requires action, warns reputation specialist Peggy Simcic Brønn.

International attention will intensify this week, and any attempt to avoid the issue will only worsen the damage.

Formulating an appropriate response grows harder given Mette-Marit's declining health.

The couple attempted to address public concerns in March regarding her Epstein connection from 2011 to 2014, though her interview left some questions unanswered.

No further joint appearances are planned, and their silver wedding anniversary in August will not be marked publicly.

The royal house will provide updates on her condition only after a transplant occurs.

Many Norwegians hope Crown Prince Haakon will guide the response.

He has reduced his schedule to remain with his wife, skipping events in Stockholm and regular cabinet meetings with the king.

Efforts to restore the monarchy's standing must wait.