Trial opens amid intense scrutiny
A year and a half after Marius Borg Høiby was arrested by police over a violent episode at a woman’s flat in Oslo, the son of the crown princess of Norway has gone on trial for rape, in what is one of the biggest cases to come before the courts in Norway for years.
Høiby pleaded not guilty to four charges of rape as the public prosecutor read out the 38 charges against him.
The seven-week Norway rape trial opened at Oslo district court against a backdrop of almost daily revelations surrounding him and his mother, Crown Princess Mette-Marit.
Fresh detention ahead of proceedings
On the eve of the trial, it emerged that the 29-year-old had been detained again, in circumstances similar to his initial arrest, on suspicion of assault, making threats with a knife, and violating a restraining order.
As police placed him on remand for four weeks, he began the trial in custody. His defence team has said it will appeal the decision.
Court restrictions and charges
Marius Borg Høiby appeared in court wearing a brown sweater, white T-shirt, beige trousers, and glasses, with his blond hair cut short. Heavy court restrictions have been imposed, including a ban on any images of the defendant inside or outside court.
As the charges were read out, he pleaded not guilty to the four rape accusations. He partially admitted charges related to a woman in Frogner in western Oslo in August 2024, admitting bodily harm but denying abuse.
Several women named as victims were seated opposite the public prosecutor. The judge underlined a ban on publishing any details that might identify the four women involved.
Royal family absence
The royal family will not attend the proceedings at Courtroom 250 of Oslo district court. Commentators say this is not surprising, with King Harald V and Queen Sonja travelling to the Winter Olympics in Italy, but it adds to the sense of isolation surrounding Crown Prince Haakon’s stepson.
Høiby, born four years before Mette-Marit married the crown prince, is considered close to the family but is not part of the royal house and is not a public figure.
Full list of charges
He faces 38 charges, including:
- rape with sexual intercourse while a woman was unconscious (October 2023)
- three counts of rape by sexual assault on incapacitated women (December 2018, March 2024, November 2024)
- six counts of sexually offensive conduct without consent, including filming
- causing bodily harm
- repeated abuse of a current or former partner
- violating a restraining order
- transporting 3.5kg of marijuana
- speeding
Some charges relate to the so-called “Frogner woman”, with whom his latest arrest is also understood to be connected.
Wider fallout for the crown princess
Høiby is expected to give evidence on Wednesday. If convicted, he could face a prison sentence of at least 10 years.
Meanwhile, Crown Princess Mette-Marit has come under growing criticism following the publication of more than 900 emails showing extensive contact with the late US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, released by the US Department of Justice.
She has admitted to “poor judgement”, and the Sex and Society Foundation has withdrawn her role as high patron of its annual Shameless Prize, saying the revelations were incompatible with its values.
Political and public reaction
Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre urged the crown princess to explain the extent of her contacts.
Royal experts and historians have warned the issue could have lasting consequences for the monarchy, despite continued public support shown in opinion polls.
By coincidence, Norwegian MPs are due to vote on a republican motion this week, though it is not expected to gain significant backing. Even so, the unfolding rape trial has intensified scrutiny of the royal family of Norway at a sensitive moment.
Source: BBC
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