Norwegian Royal's Son Gives Emotional Testimony in High-Profile Rape Trial
The son of Norway's crown princess delivered tearful testimony in Oslo District Court on Wednesday as he faces multiple serious charges including rape and domestic violence. Marius Borg Hoiby, 29, broke down several times during his court appearance, removing his glasses to wipe his eyes while describing the intense pressure of growing up in the public eye.
Royal Connection and Serious Allegations
Hoiby is the eldest son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit and stepson to Crown Prince Haakon, though he is not officially a member of Norway's royal family. The defendant faces one count of rape with sexual intercourse and three counts of rape without intercourse, along with more than 30 other offences stemming from incidents prosecutors say occurred during a 2018 "after-party" at the crown prince's family residence outside Oslo.
"I have been surrounded by the press since I was three," Hoiby told the court, according to Sky News reports. "I have been harassed ever since." He described his life as one of constant parties, alcohol consumption, and what he called "an extreme need for affirmation."
Contested Evidence and Partial Admissions
While Hoiby has pleaded not guilty to the most serious charges of rape and domestic violence, he has acknowledged partial guilt for aggravated assault and reckless behaviour under Norway's legal system. He also admitted to some lesser charges including speeding violations.
The prosecution's case centers on video evidence allegedly showing Hoiby performing a sex act on an unconscious woman shortly after they had consensual sex at the royal residence party. This video was shown to the court behind closed doors on Tuesday, though Hoiby denied both the alleged second sex act and filming any sexual material.
"If I had thought I had material that showed an assault, I would never have kept that material," Hoiby testified regarding the prosecution's cellphone video allegations.
Victim Testimony and Case Details
Earlier on Wednesday, the alleged victim testified that she only learned about the alleged rape when police contacted her about the video several years after the 2018 incident. She stated she believed "100%" that she had been drugged while attending the party at the royal residence.
The trial has attracted significant media attention in Norway and internationally, particularly after revelations that Crown Princess Mette-Marit had exchanged hundreds of messages with the late American sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Hoiby was born four years before his mother married Prince Haakon in 2001.
As the trial continues, legal observers note the unusual circumstances of a case involving someone closely connected to Norway's royal family facing such serious criminal allegations in a public courtroom setting.
