Marius Borg Høiby, the son of Norway’s Crown Princess, stood before the Oslo Court in Oslo on Wednesday and offered testimony regarding serious criminal charges. The 29-year-old defendant maintained his innocence regarding four allegations of rape while visibly struggling with the emotional weight of the proceedings. His appearance marked the second day of the trial where he faces over 30 additional offences including assault and drug violations. He appeared overwhelmed by the occasion, pausing frequently to wipe his eyes and remove his glasses.
Høiby described a life driven by an extreme need for validation, stating that excessive partying and substance use were coping mechanisms for that pressure. He admitted to consuming alcohol and drugs frequently, noting that few outside his circle could relate to his specific upbringing. The defendant wore a dark blue woollen sweater over a beige shirt while addressing the three judges seated approximately 10 meters away. He told the court that he is known primarily as Mamma’s son and that his lifestyle choices reflected this identity crisis.
Prosecutors presented evidence involving an incident in December 2018 at the basement of his parents' residence where one woman alleged she was drugged. The accuser told the court she believed she had been incapacitated during an after-party before video evidence was later released by police. She expressed profound shock and betrayal upon learning of the recordings, which allegedly depicted sexual assault shortly after consensual contact. The woman reported a black hole in her memory and stated she had no recollection of the specific events that occurred later that night.
Legal experts note that if convicted on the primary charges, the maximum penalty could result in at least 10 years of imprisonment for the defendant. The charges span from December 2018 through November 2024 and include accusations of sexual assault while victims were asleep or unable to resist. Norwegian law defines full intercourse and certain sexual assaults as rape, carrying severe sentencing guidelines that reflect the gravity of the crimes. This timeline covers a six-year period during which authorities gathered evidence from multiple victims and digital forensics teams.
The trial coincides with heightened scrutiny for the Norwegian monarchy following revelations about Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s communications with the late Jeffrey Epstein. The royal palace confirmed that the Crown Princess postponed a private trip indefinitely without providing specific details regarding the security concern. Her correspondence with the US sex offender sparked criticism over the tone of the exchanges and poor judgement. This situation places immense strain on the institution as the Crown Princess navigates both personal legal fallout and public relations challenges.
Strict media restrictions are in place, prohibiting photos of Høiby within the court building or on his route to and from the trial. The court also ordered journalists not to publish information that could identify the four women involved in the case. Høiby himself accused the Norwegian press of twisting facts, specifically denying a report about a sim-card removal from his mobile device. These restrictions aim to protect the privacy of the victims while ensuring a fair trial process for the accused defendant.
Prior to this testimony, Høiby was arrested in August 2024 following a violent incident at a girlfriend’s flat in the Frogner area of western Oslo. Police reports indicated he tore down a chandelier and threw a knife at a wall while hurling abuse during that altercation. He admitted to suffering from mental health issues and substance abuse during the initial police investigation. This violent episode served as the catalyst for the broader investigation that eventually uncovered the sexual assault allegations.
During cross-examination, the defendant disputed the first accuser’s account, claiming he does not remember filming the graphic video in question. Prosecutor Sturla Henriksbø pressed him on whether he slept with women when they were not awake, to which Høiby responded affirmatively that he does not. He expressed frustration regarding the memory of the sequence of events when questioned about the video footage. The defendant admitted to filming a five-minute video but claimed he could not recall the specific context of the woman’s state of consciousness.
Heidi Reisvang, the attorney for the first woman, stated that her client was relieved to conclude her testimony after two difficult days in court. She emphasized that the most critical aspect for the witness was establishing that she could not resist or provide consent during the alleged incidents. The legal team argued that the memory gaps described by the woman were consistent with the effects of drugging. Reisvang noted that the emotional toll on her client was significant given the high-profile nature of the defendant and the media attention.
The trial is scheduled to continue on Thursday as the court considers the evidence presented by both the defense and the prosecution. The outcome will have significant implications for the stability and public perception of the Norwegian royal family in the coming years. Observers will watch closely to see how the monarchy manages this legal challenge alongside the ongoing diplomatic pressure. International attention remains focused on whether the royal house can maintain its reputation amidst these compounding legal and ethical scandals.
