The judicial proceedings involving Marius Borg Høiby, the son of Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit, have commenced with the harrowing testimony of a woman alleging he raped her at a 2018 party. The accuser, visibly distressed, informed the court of a complete memory lapse regarding the events following a brief consensual sexual encounter, which lasted mere seconds. Borg Høiby is confronting a total of 38 charges, maintaining his innocence concerning four alleged rapes and other grave offenses. He has, however, admitted to violations of a restraining order, marijuana transportation, and speeding, while partially acknowledging threats and aggravated assault.
His initial appearance on the witness stand is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon. Despite being the stepson of Crown Prince Haakon and growing up within royal circles, Marius Borg Høiby holds no official position within the royal family nor is he considered a public figure. Notably, the first rape accusation is reported to have occurred within his parents’ Skaugum estate, located outside Oslo.
Context of the Trial: Palace Under Scrutiny
As the trial began at the Oslo district court on Tuesday, the Royal Palace faced intensified pressure to provide explanations regarding a series of messages exchanged between the Crown Princess and the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. These communications spanned from 2011 to 2014. Crown Princess Mette-Marit has previously acknowledged exercising “poor judgment,” particularly in light of a four-day visit to Epstein’s residence in Palm Beach, Miami. The palace has offered minimal further comment as additional details have surfaced.
Strict protocols were in place during Marius Borg Høiby’s entry into courtroom 250 at the Oslo district court, with no photographs permitted at the outset of this seven-week trial. Dressed in thick-rimmed glasses, a brown sweater, and olive-green trousers, the blond defendant displayed a nervous demeanor, fidgeting with a bracelet and speaking in a very low voice as he entered his plea of not guilty to the four rape charges. He later shed his sweater, revealing a simple white T-shirt.
Opening Statements and Media Impact
Prosecutor Sturla Henriksbø stated that Borg Høiby would be subject to the same legal standards as any other Norwegian citizen. In contrast, defense counsel Ellen Holager Andenæs delivered a passionate opening statement, asserting that her client had already endured prejudicial treatment from the media. She argued it would be unreasonable if an individual facing such a “tsunami of negative publicity” over an extended period did not feel their sense of control over their life and future diminishing.
Significant court restrictions have been implemented for the duration of the trial. These include a complete ban on any photographs of the defendant and the women involved, both within and outside the court premises. While reporters were granted access for much of the first day, the courtroom doors were closed when the first accuser began her testimony. A limited number of journalists were permitted to observe the proceedings from an adjacent room, and their accounts have provided some details of the young woman’s evidence.
Testimony of the First Accuser
The accuser described her experience as surreal and overwhelming, expressing a sense of unfairness at being drawn into the criminal case, which she stated was her last wish. The alleged incidents date back to 2018, with police only discovering video evidence on the defendant’s phone following his arrest in 2024. She recounted that she and the defendant engaged in consensual sexual activity for a few seconds before she ended it. Subsequently, she reported a “big black hole” in her memory. When questioned about falling asleep afterward, she firmly denied it.
Her testimony is slated to continue on Wednesday. It has been noted that all four women were reportedly incapacitated at the time of the alleged rapes. The defense has put forth that the alleged incidents transpired subsequent to consensual sexual acts. Marius Borg Høiby’s defense counsel informed the court that his not guilty plea to rape stems from his perception of all the events as “completely normal and voluntary sexual relations.” The defense further stated that the court must determine if the four women were genuinely unable to resist what occurred and if the defendant should have recognized their incapacitation or inability to consent.
The Defendant’s Custody and Sentencing Potential
The defendant is scheduled to return to court on Wednesday. He will be held in custody for the initial four weeks of the trial, having been arrested two days prior to its commencement on suspicion of assault, making threats with a knife, and violating a restraining order. The case will be decided by a panel of three judges. Should he be found guilty, he could face a prison sentence of at least 10 years.
Royal Family’s Public Standing Amidst Trial and Scandal
The trial unfolds at a particularly challenging juncture for the Norwegian royal family, exacerbated by the ongoing scandal surrounding the Crown Princess’s communications with Jeffrey Epstein. Despite these controversies, the Norwegian royal family generally maintains a high level of popularity. A recent Norstat opinion poll indicated that 73% of Norwegians hold a favorable view of the monarchy.
However, recent snap polls suggest a growing sense of unease among the public regarding the ongoing situation. One survey conducted by the Verdens Gang website indicated a drop in the monarchy’s popularity to 60.9%. This same poll also revealed that 44% of Norwegians believe Mette-Marit should not ascend to the throne as queen.
The Royal Palace views opinion polls as fleeting indicators that are subject to change over time. They may have found some reassurance in a recent vote by Norwegian Members of Parliament, which coincided with the trial’s commencement. Traditionally, MPs vote once per parliamentary term on a republican motion seeking to abolish the monarchy. This motion arose coincidentally on Tuesday, and its outcome was never in doubt, with only 26 out of the 169 members of the Storting supporting abolition.