Norwegian Royal Family Member Denies Rape Allegations in Emotional Court Hearing
The son of Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit, Marius Borg Hoiby, became visibly emotional during the first day of his trial at the Oslo District Court. The 23-year-old defendant was seen crying in the courtroom as he firmly denied charges that videos found on his mobile phone depict an act of rape.
Trial Proceedings in Oslo
The case is being heard in room 250 of the Oslo District Court, where proceedings began on Tuesday, February 3, 2026. According to court sketches by artist Ane Hem, Hoiby appeared distressed throughout the initial hearing. The prosecution alleges that digital evidence recovered from the defendant's smartphone contains footage showing non-consensual sexual activity.
Hoiby's defense team maintains his complete innocence, arguing that the videos have been misinterpreted and that all sexual encounters depicted were consensual. The defense has requested a thorough technical analysis of the digital evidence, questioning both the authenticity and context of the recordings.
Royal Family Connection
Marius Borg Hoiby is the biological son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit from a previous relationship, making him a stepson to Crown Prince Haakon. While not in direct line to the Norwegian throne, his connection to the royal family has brought intense media scrutiny to the case. The Norwegian royal household has not issued any official statement regarding the trial, maintaining their traditional stance of not commenting on private family matters.
The trial has captured significant public attention in Norway, where royal family matters typically remain private. Legal experts note that the case represents one of the most high-profile criminal proceedings involving a Norwegian royal family member in recent decades.
Legal Context and Potential Outcomes
Norwegian rape laws carry severe penalties, with convictions potentially resulting in lengthy prison sentences. The prosecution must prove beyond reasonable doubt that the acts depicted in the videos were non-consensual. Digital forensics experts are expected to play a crucial role in the trial, analyzing metadata, timestamps, and the technical characteristics of the recordings.
The trial is scheduled to continue through February, with multiple witnesses expected to testify. Both the prosecution and defense have indicated they will present expert testimony regarding digital evidence interpretation and consent issues in sexual assault cases.
Norwegian media coverage has been extensive but generally restrained, reflecting the country's privacy laws and media ethics guidelines regarding sexual assault cases. International media attention has been more pronounced, particularly given the royal connection and the nature of the allegations.
