Rape Trial of Norway Crown Princess’s Son Hears Emotional Testimony
The rape trial of Marius Borg Høiby, the son of Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit, opened this week with an emotional account from the first woman accusing him of sexual assault.
The woman, testifying behind closed doors at Oslo District Court, told the court she had little recollection of what happened during an alleged rape at a party in 2018, describing her memory as a “big black hole” after a brief consensual sexual encounter that lasted only seconds. She broke down in tears as she spoke, according to journalists following proceedings from an adjoining room.
Høiby, 27, has pleaded not guilty to raping four women and to a series of other serious charges, bringing the total number of counts against him to 38. He has admitted to breaking a restraining order, transporting marijuana and speeding, while partly acknowledging charges related to threats and aggravated assault.
Although he is the stepson of Crown Prince Haakon, Høiby is not a member of Norway’s royal family and does not carry royal status. However, the first alleged rape is said to have taken place in the basement of his parents’ residence at the Skaugum estate outside Oslo.
The trial, expected to last seven weeks, began on Tuesday under strict court restrictions, including a ban on photographs of the defendant and the alleged victims inside or outside the courtroom. Høiby appeared in court wearing glasses and a white T-shirt, speaking quietly as he entered his not-guilty pleas.
State prosecutor Sturla Henriksbø told the court that Høiby would be treated no differently from any other defendant. Defence lawyer Ellen Holager Andenæs argued that her client had already been subjected to intense and prejudicial media scrutiny, describing the coverage as a “tsunami of negative publicity.”
The woman who testified said the alleged incident was overwhelming and surreal, adding that she never wanted to be part of a criminal case. Police reportedly discovered videos related to the case on Høiby’s phone following his arrest in 2024. Her testimony is set to continue on Wednesday.
All four alleged victims were described as incapacitated at the time of the incidents, which prosecutors say occurred after initially consensual sex. The defence maintains that all encounters were voluntary and normal, arguing the court must determine whether the women were unable to resist and whether Høiby should have realised this.
Høiby is expected to take the stand later on Wednesday. He will remain in custody for at least the first four weeks of the trial following his recent arrest on separate allegations of assault, making threats with a knife and violating a restraining order.
If convicted, he faces a potential prison sentence of at least 10 years. The case will be decided by a panel of three judges.
The trial has placed Norway’s royal family under renewed public scrutiny, particularly amid ongoing controversy over Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s past contact with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. While the monarchy remains broadly popular, recent snap polls suggest a decline in public support during the unfolding scandal.
