OSLO, Norway — The son of Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit went on trial on Tuesday in what has become one of the country’s most high-profile criminal cases in years, as fresh allegations and mounting political pressure deepen a scandal engulfing the royal household.
Marius Borg Høiby, 29, faces 38 criminal charges, including four counts of rape, in a seven-week trial at Oslo District Court that has drawn intense national and international scrutiny.
He was arrested again on the eve of the trial and placed on remand for four weeks, meaning he will stand trial while in custody.
Police said the latest detention relates to allegations of assault, making threats with a knife, and violating a restraining order, circumstances similar to his initial arrest in October 2023.
His defence team has indicated it will appeal the remand decision.
Høiby, who is the stepson of Crown Prince Haakon, appeared in court wearing a brown sweater, beige trousers, and glasses.
Strict reporting restrictions are in place, including a ban on photographing the accused and on publishing any details that could identify the four women he is accused of raping.
The charges include alleged rape of an unconscious woman in October 2023, three counts of rape by sexual assault involving incapacitated women between 2018 and 2024, and multiple counts of sexually offensive conduct, including filming victims without consent.
Prosecutors have also charged him with bodily harm, repeated domestic abuse, violating a restraining order, drug trafficking involving 3.5kg of marijuana, and traffic offences.
Høiby denies most of the allegations, particularly those involving sexual violence, according to his lawyers.
He has admitted to some lesser offences and previously acknowledged physical abuse and destruction of property following his initial arrest.
He is expected to give evidence for the first time on Wednesday. If convicted, he could face at least 10 years in prison.
The royal family will not attend the proceedings at Courtroom 250, a decision commentators say adds to the sense of isolation surrounding the accused.
While closely associated with the royal household, Høiby is not a member of the royal family and holds no official public role.
The crown princess has admitted showing “poor judgement” in maintaining the correspondence and confirmed she once stayed at Epstein’s Florida residence while he was absent.
The fallout has already begun. The Sex and Society Foundation has withdrawn Mette-Marit as high patron of its annual Shameless Prize, citing incompatibility with its values.
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre has urged the crown princess to explain the full extent of the contacts. “The extent of the communication must be clarified,” he said.
Royal experts say the damage may be long-lasting. “The Norwegian public is shocked and disappointed,” said Caroline Vagle, royal correspondent for Se og Hør. “The only right course of action now is complete transparency.”
Historian and TV2 royal analyst Ole-Jørgen Schulsrud-Hansen questioned whether advisers and state institutions failed in their duty. “This affects Norway’s international image,” he told the BBC.
Despite the crisis, Norway’s monarchy remains broadly popular, with a recent Norstat poll showing 73pc public support.
However, critics argue the scandal exposes structural weaknesses. Green Party leader Arild Hermstad, a republican, said the revelations show “a monarchy under severe strain”.
By coincidence, Norwegian MPs are voting Tuesday on a recurring republican motion, though it is not expected to pass. Still, Hermstad warned the future of the royal house is increasingly under scrutiny.
“It’s hard to see how they emerge from this without lasting consequences,” he said.
