The eldest son of Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit has entered a plea of not guilty to multiple serious charges, including four counts of rape, as his high-profile trial commenced in Oslo this week. Marius Borg Høiby, 29, who holds no royal title or official duties, faces 38 separate counts across a range of alleged offences that have drawn significant international attention and placed the Norwegian royal family under intense scrutiny.
Courtroom Proceedings and Charges
During the opening day of proceedings at Oslo District Court, Høiby stood for 24 minutes as prosecutor Sturla Henriksbø read out the extensive list of charges against him. The defendant responded "no" to each of the most serious allegations, which include four separate counts of rape occurring between 2018 and November 2024. Additional charges encompass abuse within a close relationship against one former partner, acts of violence against another, and the transportation of 3.5 kilograms of marijuana.
Høiby did plead guilty to several driving offences, an aggravated drugs offence, and breaking a restraining order. He offered a partial admission to charges of threats and aggravated assault. Throughout the hearing, the defendant spoke quietly while wearing glasses, a brown sweater, and beige trousers, conferring regularly with his legal representative. Court officials adjusted microphones to ensure his responses were properly recorded.
Prosecution's Position and Potential Sentence
Prosecutors have indicated that Høiby could face up to ten years imprisonment if convicted on the most serious charges. The trial is scheduled to continue until March 19th, with seven alleged victims expected to provide testimony during the proceedings. Prosecutor Henriksbø emphasised the principle of equality before the law, stating that despite Høiby's connection to the royal family through his mother Crown Princess Mette-Marit and stepfather Crown Prince Haakon, he would be treated identically to any other defendant facing similar allegations.
Judge Jon Sverdrup Efjestad addressed the court in English, reflecting the international interest in the case, and issued warnings against recording or photographing proceedings. The judge also advised that certain witness testimonies would be heard behind closed doors to protect those involved.
Background and Investigation
The investigation began in 2024 when police responded to reports of a violent incident at an apartment in Oslo's affluent Frogner neighbourhood. Høiby was initially arrested and released, but the case expanded significantly as additional women came forward with allegations against him. The indictment filed last year centres on the four alleged rapes, along with accusations of violence and threats against a former partner between summer 2022 and autumn 2023.
Further charges were added in January this year, including six new offences related to possession and delivery of substantial quantities of marijuana and additional restraining order violations. Høiby remained free pending trial until this past Sunday, when police arrested him over new allegations involving assault, threats with a knife, and further restraining order breaches.
Recent Developments and Detention
The Oslo court granted a prosecution request on Monday to detain Høiby for up to four weeks, citing concerns about potential reoffending. Defence lawyer Petar Sekulic confirmed that the arrest followed an alleged "incident" involving another person on Sunday, though he declined to provide specific details. Sekulic indicated that Høiby contests his detention and that his legal team is considering an appeal once statements can be obtained from both parties involved.
Crown Prince Haakon stated last week that neither he nor Crown Princess Mette-Marit plan to attend the trial proceedings, and that the royal household does not intend to comment during the legal process.
Broader Context and Royal Family Implications
The trial opens during a particularly sensitive period for the Norwegian monarchy. While King Harald and the royal family generally maintain strong popularity in Norway, the Høiby case presents significant challenges to their public image. Compounding these difficulties, Crown Princess Mette-Marit faces renewed scrutiny following the recent release of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex offender who died in custody in 2019.
The newly released documents contain several hundred mentions of the crown princess, including email exchanges revealing that she borrowed an Epstein-owned property in Palm Beach, Florida, for several days in 2013. Norwegian broadcaster NRK reported that the stay was arranged through a mutual friend, a detail later confirmed by the royal household.
Mette-Marit issued a statement acknowledging poor judgment, stating she "must take responsibility for not having investigated Epstein's background more thoroughly, and for not realising sooner what kind of person he was." She added that she regrets having had any contact with Epstein and described the situation as "simply embarrassing."
The convergence of these developments creates a complex backdrop for the royal family as they navigate the legal proceedings involving Mette-Marit's eldest son, while simultaneously addressing renewed questions about past associations that have attracted international attention.
