Oslo: In a courtroom drama that has captivated Norway, Marius Borg Høiby, the son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit, broke down in tears as he denied charges that videos on his phone depicted acts of rape. The trial, which began with Høiby’s emotional testimony, has placed the embattled royal family under intense scrutiny.
Høiby, 29, who became part of the royal family when his mother married Crown Prince Haakon in 2001, faces serious allegations of rape and domestic violence. If convicted of the most severe charges among the 38 counts against him, he could spend years in prison. While he has pleaded not guilty to the most serious charges, he has acknowledged partial guilt for aggravated assault and reckless behavior, a plea permissible under Norwegian law.
The trial comes at a challenging time for the royal family, as Crown Princess Mette-Marit is also under scrutiny due to her past associations with the late U.S. sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Høiby, visibly distressed, expressed the difficulty of testifying in a courtroom filled with reporters. “I have been surrounded by the press since I was three. I have been harassed ever since,” he stated, noting his reliance on “heavy medication” to cope with the trial.
The Charges and Testimonies
Among the charges Høiby faces is one count of rape with sexual intercourse and three counts of rape without intercourse, some of which were allegedly recorded on his phone. Prosecutors argue that one video shows Høiby performing a sex act on an unconscious woman during an after-party at the crown prince’s residence in 2018. The video was shown in court behind closed doors.
Høiby denied the accusations, asserting that the sexual encounter was consensual and that he did not film any non-consensual acts. “We had completely normal sex, as far as I can remember,” he said. “Afterwards, I told her to go. So I called her a taxi.” He insisted, “I don’t have sex with people who are not awake.”
The alleged victim, whose identity is protected, testified earlier that she was unaware of the alleged rape until contacted by police about the video. The prosecution maintains that she was not in a position to consent.
Impact on the Royal Family
This high-profile case has intensified public scrutiny of Norway’s royal family. An opinion poll conducted for the daily newspaper Verdens Gang revealed a decline in public support for the monarchy, with support dropping from 72% to 61% over the past year. Meanwhile, those favoring a republic rose by 10 percentage points to 27%.
These developments come as King Harald, Europe’s oldest living monarch at 88, has reduced his public engagements following health issues, including a hospital stay in 2024 and receiving a pacemaker. Crown Princess Mette-Marit herself is battling pulmonary fibrosis, a chronic lung disease diagnosed in 2018, which has left her in need of a lung transplant.
Challenges Beyond the Courtroom
In addition to the trial, the royal family faces other challenges. Crown Princess Mette-Marit recently postponed a private trip abroad, a decision confirmed by the royal palace without further explanation. Her daughter, Princess Martha Louise, stepped down from official duties in 2022 to focus on her business ventures and has faced criticism for her involvement in a Netflix documentary and her marriage to an American self-styled shaman.
As the trial progresses, the royal family must navigate these turbulent times, balancing public duties with personal challenges. The trial is scheduled to continue until March 19, with the nation watching closely.
The outcome of the trial and its implications for the royal family remain uncertain. However, the case has undeniably sparked a broader conversation about the role and future of the monarchy in Norway.
