Marius Borg Høiby Denies Sexual Assault Allegations in Norwegian Court

The legal proceedings involving Marius Borg Høiby, the eldest son of Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit, began with the defendant firmly rejecting allegations of sexual assault and abuse. Appearing in court, Høiby responded negatively when questioned about the charges of rape and sexual misconduct involving multiple women. He also denied accusations of recording the alleged incidents.

According to the Norwegian news agency NTB, Høiby, aged 29, appeared in court dressed in a green sweater over a shirt and matching green trousers. Media coverage of the trial is extensive, but courtroom regulations prohibit the publication of photographs or videos of the accused. Høiby faces a total of 38 charges, which include serious offenses such as domestic violence, property damage, drug-related violations, and traffic offenses. While he has admitted to some of these charges, he continues to dispute the most severe allegations.

The prosecution, represented by Sturla Henriksbø, emphasized the principle of equality before the law, stating that Høiby should be treated no differently from any other individual facing similar charges, regardless of his connection to the royal family. The prosecution outlined in detail the alleged sexual offenses, including the presentation of evidence such as videos and photos secured from Høiby's mobile device. Some of these materials are scheduled to be reviewed in closed court sessions. One reported incident involves a woman who claims to have been assaulted while sleeping during a stay on the Lofoten Islands. It is alleged that she awoke during the event and that the two had previously engaged in consensual relations.

Shortly before the trial commenced, Høiby was detained again after reportedly threatening someone with a knife and violating a restraining order. As a result, he remains in custody for four weeks due to the risk of repeated offenses. Following this incident, Høiby was hospitalized, with local media reporting on the presence of the royal family at the hospital.

Public interest in the case is high, with approximately 200 journalists attending the opening day of the trial. Høiby's legal defense has characterized the media attention as excessive, asserting that attempts to appeal for responsible coverage have been unsuccessful.

This legal case coincides with additional scrutiny facing the Norwegian royal family. Recently released documents have revealed frequent correspondence between Crown Princess Mette-Marit and Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender, raising further concerns among the Norwegian public about the royal family's integrity. The overlap of these events has intensified the situation for the monarchy, with royal experts highlighting the challenge of separating these high-profile controversies in the court of public opinion. If convicted of the most severe allegations, Høiby could face up to ten years in prison, which would represent a significant setback for the royal family.

The proceedings are ongoing, and the court has yet to deliver a verdict. The case remains under close scrutiny both domestically and internationally, given its potential implications for the Norwegian monarchy.