Trial of Norwegian Royal's Son Unfolds Amidst Allegations and Royal Scrutiny
Published 3 February 2026
Highlights
- Marius Borg Høiby, son of Norway's crown princess, faces trial for multiple charges including four counts of rape.
- The trial has intensified scrutiny on the Norwegian royal family, particularly due to Crown Princess Mette-Marit's past connections with Jeffrey Epstein.
- Prosecutors emphasize equality before the law, asserting that Høiby should be treated like any other defendant despite his royal connections.
- The first alleged victim testified about a 2018 incident at the royal residence, claiming she was unaware of events until police found incriminating videos.
- The trial, held under strict media restrictions, is expected to last seven weeks at the Oslo district court.
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Rewritten Article
Headline: Trial of Norwegian Royal's Son Unfolds Amidst Allegations and Royal Scrutiny
The trial of Marius Borg Høiby, the son of Norway's crown princess, has commenced at the Oslo district court, casting a spotlight on the Norwegian royal family. Høiby, 29, faces an array of charges, including four counts of rape, abuse in close relationships, and filming women without their consent. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Allegations and Legal Proceedings
The charges against Høiby stem from incidents dating back to 2018, including an alleged sexual assault at a party held at the Skaugum estate, the official residence of his stepfather, Crown Prince Haakon. The first alleged victim, whose identity is protected, testified that she had no recollection of the events until police discovered videos on Høiby's computer. These videos allegedly show him groping her while she was incapacitated.
Prosecutor Sturla Henriksbø emphasized the principle of equality before the law, asserting that Høiby should not receive preferential treatment due to his royal connections. "The defendant is the son of the crown princess. He should be treated equally like any other person charged with the same offences," Henriksbø stated.
Royal Family Under Scrutiny
The trial has brought renewed attention to Crown Princess Mette-Marit, who has faced criticism over her past interactions with the late Jeffrey Epstein. The palace has been under pressure to address her three-year exchange of messages with Epstein, which included a stay at his Palm Beach residence. Mette-Marit has acknowledged "poor judgement" regarding these interactions.
Defense counsel Ellen Holager Andenæs argued that Høiby has been subjected to prejudicial media coverage, describing him as "an innocent boy" overwhelmed by negative publicity. The trial is being conducted under strict media restrictions, with a ban on photographs of the defendant and the alleged victims.
Courtroom Dynamics
The trial, expected to last seven weeks, has seen heavy court restrictions, with limited media access to proceedings. The first day included testimony from the first alleged victim, who described the experience as "incredibly uncomfortable" and expressed her reluctance to be involved in the case.
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Scenario Analysis
As the trial progresses, the Norwegian royal family may face increased scrutiny, particularly regarding Crown Princess Mette-Marit's past associations with Jeffrey Epstein. The outcome of the trial could have significant implications for public perceptions of the royal family and their role in Norwegian society.
Legally, the case underscores the importance of treating all defendants equally, regardless of their social status. The proceedings may also influence broader discussions on sexual violence and the legal system's handling of such cases in Norway.
Experts suggest that the trial's outcome could impact future legal proceedings involving high-profile individuals, potentially setting precedents for how such cases are managed in the public eye.
The trial of Marius Borg Høiby, the son of Norway's crown princess, has commenced at the Oslo district court, casting a spotlight on the Norwegian royal family. Høiby, 29, faces an array of charges, including four counts of rape, abuse in close relationships, and filming women without their consent. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Allegations and Legal Proceedings
The charges against Høiby stem from incidents dating back to 2018, including an alleged sexual assault at a party held at the Skaugum estate, the official residence of his stepfather, Crown Prince Haakon. The first alleged victim, whose identity is protected, testified that she had no recollection of the events until police discovered videos on Høiby's computer. These videos allegedly show him groping her while she was incapacitated.
Prosecutor Sturla Henriksbø emphasized the principle of equality before the law, asserting that Høiby should not receive preferential treatment due to his royal connections. "The defendant is the son of the crown princess. He should be treated equally like any other person charged with the same offences," Henriksbø stated.
Royal Family Under Scrutiny
The trial has brought renewed attention to Crown Princess Mette-Marit, who has faced criticism over her past interactions with the late Jeffrey Epstein. The palace has been under pressure to address her three-year exchange of messages with Epstein, which included a stay at his Palm Beach residence. Mette-Marit has acknowledged "poor judgement" regarding these interactions.
Defense counsel Ellen Holager Andenæs argued that Høiby has been subjected to prejudicial media coverage, describing him as "an innocent boy" overwhelmed by negative publicity. The trial is being conducted under strict media restrictions, with a ban on photographs of the defendant and the alleged victims.
Courtroom Dynamics
The trial, expected to last seven weeks, has seen heavy court restrictions, with limited media access to proceedings. The first day included testimony from the first alleged victim, who described the experience as "incredibly uncomfortable" and expressed her reluctance to be involved in the case.
What this might mean
As the trial progresses, the Norwegian royal family may face increased scrutiny, particularly regarding Crown Princess Mette-Marit's past associations with Jeffrey Epstein. The outcome of the trial could have significant implications for public perceptions of the royal family and their role in Norwegian society.
Legally, the case underscores the importance of treating all defendants equally, regardless of their social status. The proceedings may also influence broader discussions on sexual violence and the legal system's handling of such cases in Norway.
Experts suggest that the trial's outcome could impact future legal proceedings involving high-profile individuals, potentially setting precedents for how such cases are managed in the public eye.
