Son of Norway's crown princess held for rape

The eldest son of Norway's crown princess has been arrested on suspicion of rape, police said on Tuesday.

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

Hoiby was raised by the royal couple alongside his step-siblings Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus but has no royal title or official duties.

Hoiby was arrested late on Monday in Oslo on a preliminary charge of having had "sexual intercourse with someone who is unconscious or for other reasons unable to resist the act."

A preliminary charge comes before a formal charge and allows authorities to detain suspects during an investigation.

Norwegian media have reported that Hoiby denied the accusation.

Police said "the victim must have been unable to resist the act" but did not say when the alleged rape occurred.

The lawyer for the woman who was allegedly raped, Hege Salomon, said her client "is having a hard time".

A local news agency said the royal palace had no comment.