Norwegian Royal Family Member Faces Serious Criminal Charges in Oslo Court
The son of Norway's crown princess has entered a plea of not guilty to multiple rape charges as his high-profile trial commenced in Oslo this week. Marius Borg Høiby, 29, stands accused of numerous offenses that have created significant challenges for the Norwegian royal family's public image during what promises to be weeks of courtroom proceedings.
Detailed Charges and Initial Court Proceedings
During the opening session at Oslo District Court, prosecutor Sturla Henriksbø formally presented thirty-eight separate counts against Høiby. The defendant stood quietly as the charges were read, responding "no" to the most serious allegations, which include four distinct counts of rape. Additional charges encompass abuse within a close relationship against a former partner, violent acts against another individual, and transportation of 3.5 kilograms of marijuana. The indictment further includes accusations of making death threats and multiple traffic violations.
Høiby did acknowledge guilt regarding several driving offenses, an aggravated drugs offense, and violation of a restraining order. He offered partial admissions concerning threats and aggravated assault charges. Throughout the proceedings, the defendant wore glasses with a brown sweater and beige trousers, speaking softly while frequently consulting with his defense attorney.
Legal Consequences and Prosecution's Position
Prosecutors have indicated that Høiby could potentially face up to ten years imprisonment if convicted on the most serious charges. The trial is scheduled to continue through March 19, with seven alleged victims expected to provide testimony. Prosecutor Henriksbø emphasized the principle of legal equality before the court, stating clearly that despite Høiby's royal connections as the son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit and stepson of Crown Prince Haakon, he would receive identical treatment to any other individual facing similar allegations.
It is important to note that Høiby holds no official royal title or formal duties within the Norwegian monarchy, though his familial connections have generated substantial media attention surrounding the case.
Defense Arguments and Public Scrutiny Concerns
Defense lawyer Ellen Holager Andenæs argued that her client's notoriety has already significantly influenced the case proceedings. She described Høiby as facing a "tsunami of publicity" over an extended period that has made him feel he is "losing control of his life." According to Andenæs, the overwhelming weight of public scrutiny from thousands of newspaper articles has created substantial challenges for Høiby's belief in achieving a fair outcome.
"Like everyone else, he is innocent until proven guilty," the defense attorney reminded the court. "The verdict will be pronounced in this courtroom and not anywhere else. It is only you who will decide this."
Case Background and Recent Developments
The investigation originated in 2024 when police responded to reports of a violent incident at an apartment in Oslo's affluent Frogner neighborhood. Although Høiby was initially arrested and subsequently released, the case expanded significantly as additional women came forward with allegations against him.
The formal indictment focuses on four alleged rapes occurring between 2018 and November 2024, along with accusations of violence and threats against a former partner between summer 2022 and fall 2023. Additional charges involve two alleged acts of violence against a subsequent partner and multiple violations of restraining orders.
In January, prosecutors expanded the case with six additional offenses, including possession and delivery of substantial marijuana quantities and further restraining order violations. Høiby remained free pending trial until Sunday, when police arrested him concerning new allegations involving assault, threats with a knife, and additional restraining order violations.
The Oslo court granted prosecutors' request on Monday to detain Høiby for up to four weeks based on concerns about potential reoffending. Defense attorney Petar Sekulic indicated that this recent arrest followed an alleged "incident" on Sunday involving another individual, and that Høiby contests his detention while his legal team considers appeal options.
International Attention and Royal Family Implications
Reflecting the substantial international interest in the proceedings, Judge Jon Sverdrup Efjestad addressed the courtroom in English, emphasizing prohibitions against recording or photography and noting that some witness testimony would occur behind closed doors.
The trial unfolds during a particularly sensitive period for the Norwegian royal family. Crown Princess Mette-Marit faces renewed scrutiny regarding her past connections with Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex offender who died in 2019. Recent document releases from the Epstein files contain several hundred mentions of the crown princess, including email exchanges revealing she borrowed an Epstein-owned Florida property for several days in 2013.
Mette-Marit issued a statement acknowledging poor judgment and expressing regret for not investigating Epstein's background more thoroughly. "I must take responsibility for not having investigated Epstein's background more thoroughly, and for not realizing sooner what kind of person he was," she stated. "I showed poor judgment and regret having had any contact with Epstein at all. It is simply embarrassing."
Crown Prince Haakon confirmed last week that neither he nor Mette-Marit plan to attend the trial proceedings, and the royal household does not intend to comment during the legal process. Despite generally strong public support for King Harald and the royal family, the Høiby case presents significant image challenges during this difficult period for the Norwegian monarchy.
