Marius Borg Høiby, the 29-year-old son of Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit, delivered emotional testimony in an Oslo courtroom as his highly publicised trial for rape and multiple other alleged offences continued. Høiby, who is not a titled member of the royal family but grew up in the spotlight, appeared overwhelmed and visibly distressed as he took the stand, pausing repeatedly as he spoke about his life and denied the most serious allegations against him.
Clad in jeans and a dark blue sweater over a beige shirt, Høiby wiped away tears and admitted that it was “very difficult” to testify before a packed courtroom filled with journalists, saying that he has been hounded by the media since childhood. “I am known for being Mamma’s son. Nothing else,” he told the three judges, acknowledging the intense scrutiny he has faced since his mother’s relationship with Crown Prince Haakon became public when he was a young child.
Høiby described a lifestyle marked by excessive partying, alcohol and drug use, which he attributed to an “extreme need for validation” born out of growing up under relentless press attention. “Few can relate to the life I have led a lot of parties, alcohol, some drugs,” he said, voice quivering as he recalled his past.
Denial of rape charges and dispute over evidence
On the second day of testimony, Høiby firmly denied the four rape allegations against him, as well as other serious accusations in the 38-count indictment before the Oslo district court. Prosecutors allege he raped multiple women, and some charges are linked to videos found on his phone that allegedly depict non-consensual acts. However, Høiby denied that the videos showed rape, insisting that any sexual encounters were consensual and disputing claims that he filmed acts involving unconscious or incapacitated women.
During his testimony, the court heard how one alleged victim — who cannot be named to protect her privacy — believed she had been drugged at an “after-party” at the family residence in December 2018. She testified that police later showed her video evidence of the alleged assault, prompting her to describe feelings of “betrayal and shock” over what had happened, particularly as she had no memory of the incident.
Høiby acknowledged that he had sexual relations with the woman earlier in the night but rejected the notion that he engaged in sexual acts with her while she was unconscious. When questioned by prosecutors about whether his partner had been awake, Høiby responded emphatically: “I don’t sleep with women who aren’t awake.”
He also rebutted media speculation about the handling of his phone evidence, suggesting that press reports misstated the facts including claims around a SIM card removed from his phone before police custody.
Context and court restrictions
Norwegian authorities have imposed restrictions on reporting that could identify any of the accusers, and the court has banned publication of photographs of Høiby during the trial proceedings. The arrangement reflects efforts to protect the privacy of alleged victims and preserve the integrity of the legal process.
The trial comes amid broader controversy surrounding the Norwegian royal family. Crown Princess Mette-Marit has recently faced renewed scrutiny after revelations surfaced about her past correspondence with the late U.S. sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. While she has expressed regret and labelled her interactions with Epstein a misjudgment, the timing of those revelations has added to the public pressure surrounding her son’s case.
Legal and personal stakes
Høiby is accused of rape offences dating from December 2018 to November 2024. In Norway, sexual assault committed against someone who is incapacitated or unable to consent is legally treated as rape, and if convicted on the most serious counts, Høiby could face at least 10 years in prison. The prosecution also includes other charges ranging from assault and threats to drug-related offences and traffic violations.
The trial, expected to continue into March, has captured national attention not only because of the severity of the allegations but also due to the rare visibility it brings to issues involving a member of a royal household. While Høiby’s defence maintains his innocence on the most grave accusations, his emotional testimony underscored both the personal toll of the proceedings and the challenges he faces in disentangling his identity from his high-profile family background.