Norwegian Royal Son Pleads Not Guilty to Multiple Rape Allegations
Marius Borg Høiby, the 29-year-old son of Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit, has entered a formal plea of not guilty to four alleged rapes and numerous other criminal charges during a high-profile trial at Oslo District Court. The defendant, who faces a potential prison sentence of up to sixteen years if convicted, broke down in emotional distress while giving evidence, claiming he has endured years of relentless media harassment.
Court Hears Disturbing Evidence of Alleged Assault
Prosecutors presented the court with compelling digital evidence, including four films and ten photographs allegedly captured on Høiby's mobile device during a five-minute window early one morning in December 2018. The prosecution contends these materials depict a sexual assault occurring without intercourse at the royal residence of Skaugum, where an afterparty had taken place in the basement while the crown prince and princess were upstairs.
When directly questioned by the presiding judge about these explicit images and videos, Høiby provided a startling response, stating emphatically: "I don't even remember taking them." He acknowledged that the woman in the footage appeared to be sleeping but vehemently denied any allegations of rape, maintaining that all sexual contact was entirely consensual and occurred while both parties were fully conscious.
Emotional Testimony Reveals Troubled Personal History
Within minutes of taking the witness stand, Høiby became visibly overwhelmed, shedding tears as he described the immense difficulty of speaking before a crowded courtroom. He revealed a lifetime of psychological strain, alleging that press intrusion had "harassed and tormented" him since early childhood, creating an existence that "very few here can relate to."
The defendant offered a candid assessment of his personal struggles, admitting to an "extreme need for validation" that manifested through excessive partying, substance abuse, and promiscuous behaviour. "I am known for being my mother's son. Nothing else," he told the three-judge panel, painting a picture of a life dominated by alcohol, drugs, and sexual activity as coping mechanisms for his unique royal-adjacent circumstances.
Alleged Victim Describes Trauma and Memory Loss
The court also heard powerful testimony from the woman at the centre of the allegations, whose identity remains protected under judicial orders. She recounted having brief consensual sexual contact with Høiby earlier during the evening before terminating the encounter, but claimed to have no recollection whatsoever of the subsequent alleged assault until police investigators showed her the disturbing footage.
Breaking down in tears during her own emotional testimony, the woman described viewing herself in the videos as "completely unconscious," an experience she characterised as both "a betrayal and a shock." She expressed profound distress at this unexplained memory loss, suggesting she may have been drugged, and stated unequivocally: "Unfortunately, I have been [a victim], thanks to Marius Borg Høiby."
Defendant's Explanation of Digital Evidence
Høiby provided additional context regarding the controversial materials found on his phone, explaining that he routinely stored sexual photographs and videos within a separate application to avoid accidentally scrolling past explicit content. "It's never been for anyone else but me anyway," he asserted, attempting to frame the digital evidence as private material rather than proof of criminal behaviour.
Regarding the specific evening in question, the defendant acknowledged that alcohol and drugs were likely consumed but remarked that "before this came up, this is not an evening that has lingered so much in my mind." When pressed about whether he recalled capturing any images, he reiterated his memory lapse while maintaining the consensual nature of the encounter.
Broader Context of Royal Family Scrutiny
This sensational trial unfolds during a period of unprecedented pressure on the Norwegian monarchy, with Crown Princess Mette-Marit herself facing separate criticism over her historical connections to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The case has attracted intense international media attention, highlighting the complex intersection of royal privilege, criminal justice, and personal accountability within contemporary European society.
As proceedings continue at Oslo District Court, legal experts anticipate further dramatic revelations in a case that has already exposed deeply personal struggles, contested memories, and troubling allegations within one of Europe's most prominent royal families.
