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Norway crown princess’ son pleads not guilty to rape but faces 34 other charges
The seven-week trial, which is scheduled to run until March 19, is being described as one of the most serious cases to confront Norway’s justice system.
The son of Norway’s crown princess pleaded not guilty to charges of rape and domestic violence on the first day of his trial on Tuesday, while admitting to some lesser offences, in a case that has deepened the crisis surrounding the country’s royal family.
Marius Borg Høiby, 29, the son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit and stepson of Crown Prince Haakon, is facing 38 criminal charges, including rape, domestic violence and drug-related offences. If convicted of the most serious allegations, he could face several years in prison.
The trial comes at a sensitive moment for Norway’s monarchy, which has already been under scrutiny following renewed attention on Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s past association with Jeffrey Epstein.
The overlapping controversies have pushed the royal family into an unprecedented legal and reputational crisis, drawing intense public and media attention to an institution long seen as largely insulated from scandal.
His lawyer, Petar Sekulic, told Reuters that Høiby does not admit criminal guilt for the rape or domestic violence charges, though he has admitted guilt in some less serious cases.
“He will give a detailed explanation about this in court,” Sekulic said.
What are the charges against Høiby?
The charges include one count of rape involving sexual intercourse with an unconscious woman in October 2023; three counts of rape by sexual assault against incapacitated women - classified as rape under Norwegian law - allegedly committed in December 2018, March 2024 and November 2024; and six counts of sexually offensive conduct without consent, including allegations that some of the acts were filmed, according to a BBC report.
He is also charged with causing bodily harm; repeatedly abusing a current or former partner through threats, coercion or violence; violating a restraining order; transporting 3.5 kg of marijuana; and speeding.
Also Read | Bodily harm, possession of knife: Son of Norway's crown princess detained days before rape, assault trial
Most serious crisis of Norwegian royal family
The seven-week trial, which is scheduled to run until March 19, is being described as one of the most serious cases to confront Norway’s justice system in decades and carries the possibility of a lengthy prison sentence if he is convicted of the most serious allegations, according to a BBC report.
Norway is a constitutional monarchy, where the king serves as the formal head of state while political authority rests with parliament and the government.
According to historian Trond Noren Isaksen, the case represents the most serious crisis to affect the Norwegian royal family in peacetime, although Høiby holds no royal title and is not in the line of succession, Reuters reported.
The trial begins just days after Crown Princess Mette-Marit apologised for her “poor judgment” in maintaining contact with the late US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein after his 2008 conviction for child sex crimes.
Rape, marijuana possession and 36 other charges
Crown Prince Haakon said neither he nor Mette-Marit plan to attend the court proceedings, adding that he trusts the justice system to be fair and proper.
Speaking about his stepson, Haakon said: “We love him, he is an important part of our family. He is a Norwegian citizen, so he has the same responsibilities as everyone else, as well as the same rights.”
He also expressed sympathy for the alleged victims. “We think about them, we know many are going through a difficult time,” he said.
Prosecutors have said the charges against Høiby include one count of rape involving sexual intercourse and three counts of rape without intercourse, some of which he allegedly filmed on his phone.
In January, prosecutors added new charges, including possession and transport of 3.5 kg (7.72 pounds) of marijuana.
Police had earlier named Høiby as a suspect in 2024 in a case involving the physical assault of a woman with whom he had been in a relationship.
In a statement to the media at the time, Høiby admitted to causing bodily harm to the woman while under the influence of cocaine and alcohol, and to damaging her apartment. He said he regretted his actions.
What is the ongoing crisis?
The trial comes amid broader challenges for the Norwegian royal family. In addition to the scrutiny surrounding Mette-Marit’s past ties to Epstein, King Harald, 88, has reduced his public duties after being hospitalised for an infection in 2024 and later receiving a pacemaker.
Mette-Marit has also faced health issues, having been diagnosed in 2018 with pulmonary fibrosis, a chronic lung disease that causes scarring and reduces oxygen uptake.
Meanwhile, King Harald’s daughter, Princess Martha Louise, stepped down from official royal duties in 2022 to pursue private business interests. She and her husband, an American self-styled shaman, said they would stop using her princess title for commercial purposes.
The couple faced criticism last year for appearing in a Netflix documentary about their daily lives, including their wedding, and for publicly criticising the king and queen.
