Marius Borg Høiby, son of Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit, is set to stand trial approximately eighteen months after his initial arrest concerning a violent incident at an Oslo apartment. The proceedings, opening at Oslo District Court on Tuesday, represent a significant legal case for the nation. This trial unfolds against a backdrop of near-daily disclosures concerning both Høiby and his mother.

Just prior to the trial’s commencement, it was reported that the 29-year-old had been apprehended again. The circumstances of this second arrest reportedly bore similarities to his initial detention, involving accusations of assault, making threats with a knife, and a breach of a restraining order. He has been placed in custody for four weeks pending the outcome, a decision his defense team intends to contest.

Concurrently, Crown Princess Mette-Marit is facing mounting criticism following revelations of her extensive contact with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, evidenced in hundreds of emails. While she has acknowledged exhibiting “poor judgment,” the repercussions have already materialized, with one organization withdrawing its patronage of her annual prize.

The trial is subject to strict judicial restrictions, including a prohibition on any photographic depictions of Marius Borg Høiby within or outside the courtroom. Further safeguards are in place to prevent the disclosure of any details that could identify the four women he is accused of raping.

Members of the royal family will not be present at any court sessions. While commentators suggest this is not entirely surprising given King Harald V and Queen Sonja’s upcoming travel to the Winter Olympics, it contributes to an atmosphere of detachment surrounding Crown Prince Haakon’s stepson.

Born four years before Crown Princess Mette-Marit married the Crown Prince, Marius Borg Høiby is considered a close family member. However, he is not formally part of the royal household and does not hold a public role.

Charges Against Marius Borg Høiby

Marius Borg Høiby faces a total of 38 charges, which include:

Rape involving sexual intercourse with an unconscious woman in October 2023.
Three counts of rape by sexual assault against incapacitated women, considered rape under Norwegian law, occurring in December 2018, March 2024, and November 2024.
Six counts of sexually offensive conduct without consent, encompassing the filming of victims.
Causing bodily harm.
Repeatedly abusing a current or former partner through threats, coercion, or violence.
Violating a restraining order.
Possession and transport of 3.5 kilograms of marijuana.
Speeding.

His legal representation has stated that he denies any wrongdoing in the majority of these accusations, particularly those related to sexual abuse and violence. He has admitted to some of the less serious offenses, including physical abuse and property damage, following his initial arrest.

Høiby is anticipated to testify early in the proceedings, with the defense planning for his first day of evidence on Wednesday. Conviction on the more serious charges could result in a prison sentence of at least ten years.

Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s Controversial Connections

In addition to her son’s legal troubles, Crown Princess Mette-Marit is under intense public scrutiny due to her association with Jeffrey Epstein. The Princess has a chronic lung condition that affects her breathing, but recent public attention has focused on her name appearing in over 900 emails released by the U.S. Department of Justice. These communications suggest a future queen of Norway engaging in casual exchanges with an individual known to be a registered sex offender with a criminal record.

Further details have emerged indicating that the Crown Princess spent four days at Epstein’s Florida residence during a period when he was not present.

The fallout from these revelations has led the Sex and Society foundation, an organization dedicated to sexual and reproductive rights, to discontinue its invitation for Mette-Marit to serve as a patron for its annual Shameless Prize. The foundation cited an incompatibility between the revelations and its core values.

As the future queen of Norway, this decision represents a significant blow to the Crown Princess’s public image. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre has publicly urged Mette-Marit to provide a comprehensive explanation of the extent of her contacts with Epstein.

Caroline Vagle, a royal correspondent for the magazine See and Hear, posits that these revelations will likely impact the Crown Princess throughout her life. “The Norwegian public is shocked and disappointed, and I have to say I agree,” Vagle remarked. “The only right course of action now is to put all the cards on the table.”

Historian and royal correspondent for TV2, Ole-Jørgen Schulsrud-Hansen, believes that the Princess’s advisors and the broader royal court should have been aware of her communications with Epstein and intervened. He also suggests that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, tasked with protecting Norway’s international standing, should have been involved, as these events are damaging the nation’s global image.

Public Opinion and Political Implications

Despite these controversies, the Norwegian royal family continues to enjoy considerable popularity. A recent Norstat poll indicated that 73% of Norwegians support the monarchy.

However, Arild Hermstad, leader of Norway’s Green Party and a republican, views the email exchanges as indicative of a failing monarchy. He stated that the situation places not only the royal family but also Norway itself in a difficult position, questioning how the issue will be resolved. Hermstad emphasized the need for honesty and frankness from the Crown Princess.

Coincidentally, Norwegian lawmakers are scheduled to vote on a motion submitted by republicans, a tradition observed periodically. While significant support for such a motion is not anticipated, Hermstad suggests that many Members of Parliament are sensitive to the future of the royal institution and that navigating this “really big scandal” will be challenging.