Prosecutors in Norway have brought fresh charges against the stepson of Norway’s Crown Princess. These new accusations include reckless behavior and violating a restraining order. This development occurs a month after the trial for rape and a multitude of other alleged offenses commenced.
Marius Borg Høiby was apprehended the day before his trial was set to begin in early February. His arrest stemmed from suspicions of threats and violence directed at a woman at his Oslo residence. Police initially held him in custody for the initial four weeks of the proceedings.
While allegations pertaining to bodily harm and threats involving a knife have since been withdrawn, prosecutors assert that the 29-year-old has admitted to the two most recent offenses. He now confronts a total of 40 charges at the Oslo District Court. Borg Høiby maintains his innocence regarding the most serious accusations.
Background and Current Legal Standing
Marius Borg Høiby is the son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit. He spent his formative years within the royal family’s sphere but is not an official member of Norway’s royal house. His mother married Crown Prince Haakon in 2001, at which point Borg Høiby was four years old.
He has acknowledged guilt in some of the 40 charges leveled against him. However, he unequivocally denies four counts of rape. These allegations involve a woman who was reportedly asleep or otherwise incapacitated at the time of the alleged acts, following consensual intercourse.
The latest charges are linked to a woman residing in Oslo’s upscale Frogner district. Borg Høiby was under a court order prohibiting any contact with this individual at the time. He had previously admitted to breaching a restraining order concerning this same woman at the trial’s outset. He also partially admits to other allegations dating back to 2024.
Borg Høiby’s initial arrest followed a violent altercation at the woman’s apartment in Frogner. At the time, he spoke about experiencing mental health issues for several years.
Legal Process and Evidence Presented
Though it is uncommon for additional charges to be introduced during an ongoing trial, state prosecutor Sturla Henriksbø clarified that this is indeed permissible when the defendant confesses to the offenses. Reckless behavior alone can carry a prison sentence of up to two years.
As of Tuesday, the trial had reached its seventeenth day of the allotted twenty-eight days. The proceedings are conducted under strict restrictions, prohibiting any photographic or visual recording of the defendant or the four women he is accused of raping.
The only accuser who has been publicly identified is Nora Haukland, a former girlfriend. Borg Høiby denies any abuse against her. Ms. Haukland has already testified in court, stating that he physically assaulted her, including instances of kicking, punching, and choking, during their relationship which spanned from 2022 to 2023.
Last week, an audio recording was presented to the court. It captured an argument where Marius Borg Høiby could be heard directing abusive language at Ms. Haukland, a Norwegian influencer with a significant following exceeding 100,000 on Instagram. He denies any violent conduct, and his defense attorney contends that his ex-girlfriend did not, in any manner, “live in a regime of fear.”
During Tuesday’s court sessions, testimony was heard from former boyfriends of Nora Haukland. One individual described their relationship as a “peaceful break-up” and expressed respect for her, while another characterized their relationship as turbulent.
Should Marius Borg Høiby be found guilty of the more severe charges, he could face a minimum of ten years imprisonment.