Norwegian Royal Family Rocked by Major Criminal Trial
The Norwegian royal family is facing what has been described as its biggest ever scandal as Crown Princess Mette-Marit's son stands trial on dozens of serious criminal charges in Oslo. Marius Borg Høiby, the 29-year-old stepson of Crown Prince Haakon, has entered a not guilty plea to four counts of rape and one of domestic violence while admitting to several lesser offences.
Who Is Marius Borg Høiby?
Marius Borg Høiby occupies a unique position within Norwegian society as the biological son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit from her previous relationship with convicted felon Morten Borg. Despite his mother's royal status since her 2001 marriage to Crown Prince Haakon, Marius holds no royal titles and remains outside the line of succession to the Norwegian throne.
The media initially dubbed him "Little Marius" after a character in an 1883 novel, reflecting his unusual status as a non-royal member of the royal household. Unlike his half-siblings Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus, Marius has maintained a relatively low public profile throughout his life.
Education and Career Background
After briefly studying business in the United States in 2017 without completing his degree, Høiby pursued opportunities in the fashion industry. He worked as an intern for German designer Philipp Plein before taking a position as a style editor at UK-based magazine Tempus. This appointment proved controversial when the publication referred to him as a Norwegian prince, prompting immediate corrections across both print and digital editions following public backlash.
Høiby's previous encounter with the law occurred in 2017 when he received a conviction and fine for drug possession following an arrest at the Palmesus festival. This earlier incident foreshadowed the far more serious legal challenges he now faces.
The Extensive Charges and Court Proceedings
The Oslo District Court is hearing an extraordinary case involving 38 separate charges against Høiby. While pleading not guilty to the most serious allegations of rape and domestic violence, he has admitted guilt to several lesser offences including offensive sexual behaviour, speeding, and driving without a valid license.
Norwegian law allows for partial guilty pleas, which Høiby has utilised regarding charges of aggravated assault and reckless behaviour. The trial is scheduled to continue for seven weeks, with seven alleged victims expected to provide testimony. Prosecutors have emphasised that "there is equality before the law" and that Høiby will receive the same treatment as any other Norwegian citizen facing similar charges.
The most severe allegations involve incidents spanning several years, including rape of an unconscious woman in October 2023 and three separate counts of rape by sexual assault on incapacitated women in December 2018, March 2024, and November 2024. If convicted on the most serious charges, Høiby could face up to ten years imprisonment.
Royal Family Response and Support
Crown Prince Haakon has publicly expressed both familial support and recognition of legal responsibilities, stating: "We love him. He is an important part of our family. He is a Norwegian citizen, so he has the same responsibilities as everyone else, as well as the same rights." The Crown Prince also acknowledged the difficult situation facing alleged victims, saying the family thinks about them during this challenging period.
Epstein Connection Intensifies Scrutiny
Compounding the royal family's difficulties, newly released documents from US authorities reveal extensive connections between Crown Princess Mette-Marit and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The files show hundreds of mentions of the Norwegian royal, including a 2012 exchange where she asked Epstein about appropriate wallpaper for her then-15-year-old son featuring "two naked women carrying a surfboard."
Further revelations indicate the Crown Princess spent four days at Epstein's Palm Beach residence in January 2013. In response to these disclosures, Mette-Marit has issued a public statement expressing regret and accepting responsibility for what she describes as "poor judgement" in maintaining contact with Epstein without properly investigating his background.
The Crown Princess stated: "Jeffrey Epstein is personally responsible for his actions. I must take responsibility for not checking Epstein's background more closely and for not understanding quickly enough what kind of person he was. I deeply regret that, and this is a responsibility I must take." She has also offered sympathy to Epstein's victims.
Additional Legal Troubles
In a separate development just days before the trial commenced, Høiby was detained on suspicion of assault, making threats with a knife, and violating a restraining order. He has been placed on remand for four weeks while these additional allegations are investigated, further complicating an already complex legal situation.
This convergence of royal scandal, serious criminal allegations, and connections to international sex offender Jeffrey Epstein represents an unprecedented challenge for the Norwegian monarchy, testing both its public standing and internal family dynamics during what promises to be a lengthy and highly publicised legal process.
