Marius Borg Høiby, son of Norway’s crown princess, denies rape as trial begins.

Rape trial begins for son of Norway’s crown princess in tense moment for royal family

The Oslo district court has commenced a high-profile seven-week trial involving Marius Borg Høiby, the 29-year-old son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway, who stands accused of multiple serious offenses, including four counts of rape. The proceedings have cast a long shadow over the Norwegian monarchy, occurring amidst a growing controversy surrounding the Crown Princess herself due to her past communications with the late American financier and convicted sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein.

Høiby, who arrived at court dressed in a brown sweater, white t-shirt, beige trousers, and glasses, with his blond hair cut short, has pleaded not guilty to the four rape charges. The public prosecutor detailed a total of 38 charges against him. His defense team has indicated they will appeal a recent decision to place him in remand for four weeks, following his arrest the day before the trial began on suspicion of assault, making threats with a knife, and violating a restraining order. This latest detention reportedly mirrors the circumstances of his initial arrest over a year and a half ago, stemming from a violent incident at a woman’s apartment in Oslo.

The trial, which has attracted significant attention both domestically and internationally, is being held under strict court restrictions, including a ban on any photographs of the defendant inside or outside the court premises. Høiby’s plea of not guilty to the rape allegations was initially delivered in a quiet tone. He did, however, partially admit to charges related to a woman in Frogner, western Oslo, in August 2024, acknowledging acts of bodily harm but denying any abuse. Several women identified as victims in the case were present in court, seated opposite the prosecution. The judge emphasized a ban on any details that could identify the four women involved.

The royal family has stated they will not be attending the trial, a decision that, while not entirely unexpected given King Harald V and Queen Sonja’s planned trip to the Winter Olympics in Italy, adds to a sense of isolation surrounding Crown Prince Haakon’s stepson. Marius Borg Høiby, born before Mette-Marit married Crown Prince Haakon, is considered a close family member but is not officially part of the royal family and maintains a low public profile.

The extensive list of 38 charges includes allegations of abuse and threats in August 2024, reportedly linked to the "Frogner woman" and potentially his most recent arrest. While Høiby denies any wrongdoing in most of these cases, particularly those involving sexual abuse and violence, his defense team has acknowledged his admission to some lesser offenses, including physical abuse and destruction of property, following his initial arrest. He is expected to testify on Wednesday, and if convicted, faces a potential prison sentence of at least 10 years.

Adding to the strain on the royal family, Crown Princess Mette-Marit has been facing intense scrutiny after her name appeared in over 900 emails published by the US Department of Justice. These emails reportedly reveal extensive contact with Jeffrey Epstein, leading to criticism and concerns about her judgment. The Crown Princess has acknowledged making "poor judgment" but the fallout has already impacted her public standing, with one organization withdrawing her patronage for its annual prize. The tone of the emails suggests exchanges between a future queen and a convicted sex offender, raising further questions about her awareness and the royal court’s oversight. It has also emerged that she spent four days at Epstein’s Florida residence when he was not present.

The revelations have prompted calls for greater transparency. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre urged Mette-Marit to "explain the extent of the contacts that have taken place." Royal expert Caroline Vagle expressed the public’s shock and disappointment, advocating for complete honesty from the Crown Princess. Ole-Jørgen Schulsrud-Hansen, a historian and royal correspondent, suggested that the Crown Princess’s advisors and the royal court should have intervened to prevent such communications. He also raised concerns about the impact on Norway’s international image, noting that the foreign office is tasked with protecting the nation’s standing.

Despite these controversies, Norway’s royal family has historically enjoyed high popularity, with a recent poll indicating 73% public support. However, the ongoing scandals have fueled republican sentiments. Arild Hermstad, leader of Norway’s Green Party, argued that the email exchanges highlight systemic issues within the monarchy and urged for utmost honesty from the Crown Princess. He also noted that while a traditional republican motion will be voted on by MPs, it is unlikely to garner significant support. Nevertheless, Hermstad believes many parliamentarians are sensitive to the future of the royal house and are struggling to see a clear path out of the current crisis.

The Crown Princess herself has been dealing with a serious lung condition affecting her breathing, but it is her association with Epstein that has dominated public discourse in Norway recently. The decision to publish the emails, coupled with the ongoing trial of her son, presents a significant challenge to the reputation and future of the Norwegian monarchy, a situation that commentators suggest may have lasting repercussions for the royal family and the nation’s image.