Rape Trial Begins For Norway’s Crown Princess’ Son.

A year and a half after Marius Borg Høiby was arrested by police over a violent episode at a woman’s flat’s in Oslo, the son of Norway’s crown princess has gone on trial in the biggest case to come to court here for years.

Høiby is accused of 38 charges including four counts of rape in one of the biggest cases in Norway for years.

The seven-week trial opens at Oslo district court on Tuesday against a backdrop of almost daily revelations surrounding him and his mother, Crown Princess Mette-Marit.

On the eve of the trial it emerged the 29-year-old had been detained again, in circumstances not unlike his initial arrest, on suspicion of assault, making threats with a knife and violating a restraining order.

As police have placed him on remand for four weeks, he begins the trial in custody.

His defence team intends to appeal against the decision.

The crown princess is facing increasing criticism after it emerged that she was cited in hundreds of emails showing extensive contacts with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. She has admitted showing “poor judgement”, but the fallout has already begun, with one organisation dropping her as patron for its annual prize.

Marius Borg Høiby appeared in court wearing a brown sweater, beige trousers and glasses, his blond hair cut short. Heavy court restrictions have been imposed on the trial, with a ban on any pictures of the defendant inside or outside court.

As the charges against him were read out, he pleaded not guilty to the four accusations of rape, initially speaking quietly.

There is also a ban on any detail that might identify the four women involved – a point underlined by the judge as proceedings opened.

The royal family will not attend the trial in Courtroom 250 at Oslo district court, where the trial has attracted enormous interest throughout Norway and beyond.

Commentators do not see that as particularly surprising, with King Harald V and Queen Sonja heading to the Winter Olympics in Italy later this week, but it adds to a sense of isolation surrounding Crown Prince Haakon’s stepson.

Marius Borg Høiby was born four years before Mette-Marit married the crown prince, and although he is seen as a close member of the family he is not part of the royal family itself and not a public figure.

He faces an array of 38 charges which include:

rape with sexual intercourse while a woman was unconscious in October 2023

three counts of rape by sexual assault on incapacitated women – considered rape in Norway – in December 2018, March 2024 and November 2024

six counts of sexually offensive conduct without consent – including filming of victims.

-causing bodily harm

-repeatedly abusing a current or ex-partner through threats, coercion or violence

-violating a restraining order

-transporting 3.5kg of marijuana

 -over speeding

Some of the charges involving abuse and threats in August 2024 relate to a woman from the Frogner area of western Oslo, and it is understood that his latest arrest is linked to her too.

Marius Borg Hoiby’s defence team has said he denies any wrongdoing in most of the cases, especially the cases regarding sexual abuse and violence. He has admitted some of the lesser offences, and after his initial arrest admitted physical abuse and destroying objects.

He is expected to give evidence for the first time on Wednesday. If found guilty he could go to jail for at least 10 years.

BBC