The trial of Marius Borg Høiby, the son of Norway’s crown princess, began on Tuesday with a range of charges, including rape, marking the start of a lengthy legal process that has put a stain on the royal family’s reputation. Høiby, aged 29, is the eldest child of Crown Princess Mette-Marit from a previous relationship and is stepson to Crown Prince Haakon, although he holds no official royal title or responsibilities.
Since a series of arrests in 2024 on various alleged offenses, Høiby has been under intense scrutiny. The trial, held at the Oslo district court, commenced on Tuesday and is expected to continue until March 19. Høiby is facing a total of 38 charges, encompassing rape, mistreatment in a close relationship with one former partner, violent acts against another partner, and the transportation of 3.5 kilograms of marijuana. Additional accusations include making death threats and committing traffic violations.
Prosecutors have highlighted that Høiby could potentially receive a prison sentence of up to 10 years if found guilty, with seven alleged victims anticipated to provide testimony. To cater to the international attention surrounding the case, the judge conducted proceedings in English, cautioning against recording or capturing photographs within the courtroom and advising that certain witness testimonies would be held in private.
In response to the charges, Høiby’s defense team has vehemently denied any allegations of sexual abuse and a majority of the violence-related charges. Despite being free before the trial, Høiby was taken into custody on Sunday following fresh accusations of assault, knife threats, and breaching a restraining order. The court approved a request on Monday to detain him for up to four weeks due to concerns of potential reoffending.
The allegations against Høiby revolve around four purported rape incidents between 2018 and November 2024, as well as instances of violence and threats against previous partners. The defense team asserts that Høiby refutes all sexual abuse accusations and the majority of the violence charges. Crown Prince Haakon announced that neither he nor Mette-Marit will attend the trial, and the royal household will refrain from commenting during the legal proceedings.
The royal family, particularly King Harald and the royals, enjoys widespread popularity in Norway. However, the Høiby case has tarnished their public image. As the trial unfolds, Mette-Marit is also facing renewed scrutiny over her past association with Jeffrey Epstein, following the release of additional documents from the Epstein files, which reportedly feature numerous references to the crown princess.