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Historic trial begins in Oslo
Marius Borg Høiby, stepson of Norway's Crown Prince Haakon, stood alone in Oslo District Court on Tuesday as the country's most high-profile trial in years opened. The 29-year-old faces 38 charges, including rape, assault, drug offenses, and property damage, with a potential prison sentence exceeding a decade if convicted. The court has banned all photography of Høiby, but international media have gathered in force outside the courthouse.
Allegations and admissions
The indictment details violent incidents spanning six years, from 2018 to November 2024. Four women accuse Høiby of rape, including one case where he allegedly had intercourse with a sleeping victim. Three other assaults involve women who were incapacitated. Høiby has admitted to lesser offenses, such as physical abuse and destroying property, but his defense team denies most allegations, particularly those related to sexual violence and assault.
One former girlfriend, social media influencer Nora Haukland, publicly accused Høiby of punching, kicking, and choking her while calling her derogatory names. These claims are part of the formal charges. Another charge, added last month, alleges Høiby transported 3.5 kilograms of marijuana.
A family in crisis
The Norwegian royal family, known for its transparency, is navigating an unprecedented scandal. Crown Prince Haakon, who has treated Høiby as a son, addressed the media before the trial, expressing love for his stepson while acknowledging the pain of the alleged victims. "We care about them. We know many of you are going through a difficult time right now," he said.
Neither King Harald V, 88, nor Queen Sonja will attend the trial. The monarchs are traveling to Italy for the Winter Olympics, where they plan to support Norwegian athletes. Meanwhile, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, Høiby's mother, is battling pulmonary fibrosis and preparing for a lung transplant. Her health has taken priority for the family, overshadowing the trial.
"What I'm perhaps most upset about is being criticized for how we've handled it as parents. That we haven't taken it seriously, I find that difficult. To be so harshly criticized in a situation where we've tried to do the best we can and sought professional help... so it feels a bit unfair."
Crown Princess Mette-Marit, in a December 2025 NRK documentary
Public perception and royal reputation
Norway's monarchy remains widely supported, with 73% of the public backing the institution, according to a late 2025 Norstat poll. However, the trial has intensified scrutiny of the royal family. Journalist Torgeir Krokfjord, who co-authored a book on Høiby's alleged ties to the drug world, noted the emotional toll on the victims, many of whom will testify publicly. "Most of them are just regular girls who now will have to endure several weeks of having their most intimate experiences investigated in front of hundreds of journalists," he said.
Royal correspondent Tove Taalesen, formerly of the palace, criticized the Crown Prince's handling of Høiby's role in the family. "He lifted up this sweet, innocent little boy and presented him to the Norwegian people," she said, referring to Haakon's public introduction of four-year-old Høiby during his 2001 wedding to Mette-Marit. "But they didn't give Marius any title or purpose, so he had this odd function in the family-he was a big part of it, but he wasn't a part of it."
Broader fallout and future challenges
The trial coincides with a parliamentary vote on abolishing the monarchy, though few expect it to succeed. The royal family has faced additional controversies, including revelations from the release of Jeffrey Epstein's files, which included emails referencing Crown Princess Mette-Marit's past interactions with the late sex offender. The palace has acknowledged her meetings with Epstein between 2011 and 2013 but emphasized her regret and sympathy for his victims.
Princess Ingrid Alexandra, Høiby's half-sister and second in line to the throne, recently visited northern Norway in a highly publicized trip. While the palace described it as long-planned, some observers suggest it was a strategic move to shift public focus amid the trial.
The next seven weeks of testimony will test Norway's royal family like never before, as they balance personal loyalty with public accountability.
