The trial of Marius Borg Høiby, the son of Norway’s crown princess, has commenced with charges including rape, marking the beginning of an extensive legal process that has put a strain on the royal family’s reputation. Høiby, aged 29, is the firstborn of Crown Princess Mette-Marit from a previous relationship and is the stepson of Crown Prince Haakon, though he does not hold any royal title or official responsibilities.
Having been in the spotlight since his multiple arrests in 2024 on various alleged offenses, Høiby appeared in the Oslo district court on Tuesday morning to face the 38 charges against him. These accusations encompass a range of serious crimes, such as rape, domestic abuse, violent acts, drug trafficking, issuing death threats, and traffic violations.
If found guilty, Høiby could potentially receive a 10-year prison sentence, as indicated by prosecutors. The trial, which is scheduled to run until March 19, has garnered international attention, prompting the judge to conduct proceedings in English and restrict any recording or photography in the courtroom, with some witness testimonies to be held privately.
In response to the charges, Høiby’s defense team has vehemently denied the allegations of sexual abuse and most of the violence-related charges. The legal battle intensified when Høiby was arrested on fresh accusations of assault, knife threats, and breaching a restraining order, leading to his detention for up to four weeks based on concerns of potential reoffending.
Despite the unfolding legal drama, both Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit have chosen not to attend the trial and have opted to remain silent throughout the proceedings. The royal family, headed by King Harald, has enjoyed widespread popularity in Norway, yet the controversies surrounding Høiby have tarnished their public image.
Furthermore, the timing of Høiby’s trial coincides with renewed scrutiny on Crown Princess Mette-Marit due to her previous connections with Jeffrey Epstein, following the recent release of additional documents from the Epstein files. These documents revealed numerous references to the crown princess, prompting a reevaluation of her past interactions with the convicted sex offender.