Norwegian Royal Son Testifies in High-Profile Sexual Assault Case
The ongoing trial of Marius Borg Hoiby, the 29-year-old son of Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit, has captured international attention as the royal family member faces serious criminal charges. During court proceedings in Oslo this week, Hoiby delivered crucial testimony denying key allegations against him while prosecutors presented their case involving multiple alleged victims.
Denial of Drugging Allegations
In a significant moment during Thursday's testimony, Hoiby explicitly denied accusations that he had drugged any of the women involved in the case. "I never drugged anyone, as far as I know," he told the court, addressing one of the most serious aspects of the prosecution's allegations. This statement came in direct contrast to testimony from the previous day, where one alleged victim stated she was "100%" convinced she had been drugged before an alleged assault.
Comprehensive Charges and Royal Connections
The defendant faces an extensive list of charges that includes:
- Multiple counts of rape
- Domestic violence allegations
- More than 30 additional criminal offences
As the eldest son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit and stepson to Crown Prince Haakon, Hoiby's royal connections have added significant public interest to what would already be a high-profile criminal case. The trial represents one of the most serious legal challenges involving European royalty in recent years.
Conflicting Testimonies Emerge
The court has heard dramatically different accounts from the prosecution and defense regarding the events in question. Prosecutors allege that four separate rapes occurred after consensual sexual encounters, typically following evenings of heavy drinking when the women were allegedly incapacitated and unable to defend themselves. According to the prosecution, these incidents took place at various locations, including an afterparty in the basement of the crown prince's family residence outside Oslo in December 2018.
In contrast, Hoiby's defense team has maintained that their client "perceived all of the acts as perfectly normal and consensual sexual relations." This fundamental disagreement about consent forms the core of the legal battle now unfolding in the Oslo District Court.
Digital Evidence and Cellphone Examination
Prosecutors have introduced digital evidence as part of their case, questioning Hoiby about search history on his personal cellphone. During cross-examination, prosecutor Sturla Henriksboe specifically asked about searches for terms including "rape" found in the device's history.
When confronted with this evidence, Hoiby offered an explanation that has since circulated widely in media coverage: "I have looked at a lot of weird stuff," he told the court, according to Reuters reporting from the trial.
Disputed Video Evidence Allegations
One particularly contentious aspect of the case involves allegations that Hoiby recorded sexual acts without consent. Prosecutors claim he filmed himself performing a sex act on an unconscious woman shortly after they had consensual sex during the 2018 afterparty at the royal residence.
Hoiby has categorically denied these allegations, testifying that while he did have consensual sex with the woman in question, he did not perform any additional sexual acts while she was unconscious and certainly did not record any such activity. "If I had thought I had material that showed an assault, I would never have kept that material," he told the court, addressing the prosecution's claims about potentially incriminating video evidence.
International Media Coverage and Legal Proceedings
The trial has attracted significant international media attention, with multiple news organizations providing daily coverage of the proceedings. The case represents a rare instance of a European royal family member facing serious criminal charges in open court, with all testimony and evidence subject to public scrutiny.
As the trial continues, legal observers note that the outcome could have significant implications for how sexual assault cases are prosecuted in Norway and potentially influence broader conversations about consent, intoxication, and accountability across Scandinavian legal systems. The court is expected to hear additional testimony and examine further evidence before reaching a verdict in the coming weeks.
