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Trial begins for Marius Borg Høiby amid royal family scrutiny
The trial of Marius Borg Høiby, son of Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit, opened in Oslo on Tuesday, with the first of four alleged rape victims giving emotional testimony. Høiby, 30, denies all charges but has admitted to breaking a restraining order, drug offenses, and speeding.
First accuser describes memory loss after alleged assault
The woman, who cannot be named, told the court she had no recollection of events following a brief consensual encounter with Høiby in 2018. She described a "big black hole" in her memory and insisted she had not fallen asleep. Prosecutors allege she was incapacitated during the subsequent assault.
Her testimony, delivered behind closed doors, was later summarized by journalists allowed in an adjacent room. The trial resumed Wednesday, with her evidence set to continue.
Defendant pleads not guilty to 38 charges
Høiby faces 38 counts, including rape, aggravated assault, and threats involving a knife. He entered the courtroom wearing thick-rimmed glasses and a brown sweater, later removing it to reveal a plain white T-shirt. Speaking quietly, he pleaded not guilty to raping four women but admitted to lesser offenses.
His defense lawyer, Ellen Holager Andenæs, argued that media scrutiny had unfairly prejudiced public opinion. "It would be strange if someone facing such a tsunami of negative publicity did not feel they were losing control of their life," she said.
Allegations span private estate and public incidents
The first alleged rape occurred in the basement of the Skaugum estate, the royal residence outside Oslo. Other incidents took place at parties between 2018 and 2023. Prosecutors claim all four victims were incapacitated during the assaults, which followed consensual encounters.
Høiby's defense maintains the sexual relations were "completely normal and voluntary." The court must determine whether the women were unable to resist and whether Høiby should have recognized their state.
Royal family under pressure over Epstein links
The trial coincides with renewed scrutiny of Crown Princess Mette-Marit's past ties to Jeffrey Epstein. The palace has acknowledged her "poor judgment" after revelations of a four-day stay at his Palm Beach home in 2014 and a three-year exchange of messages with the late sex offender.
Public opinion appears divided. A recent Verdens Gang poll showed support for the monarchy dropping to 60.9%, with 44% opposing Mette-Marit's future ascension to queen. However, a parliamentary vote Tuesday overwhelmingly rejected a motion to abolish the monarchy, with only 26 of 169 MPs in favor.
Trial restrictions and next steps
Strict court measures ban photography of Høiby or the accusers. He remains in custody for the first four weeks of the trial, which is expected to last seven weeks. If convicted, he could face a minimum 10-year prison sentence. Høiby is scheduled to testify Wednesday afternoon.
