The son of Norway’s crown prince, Marius Borg Højbi, cried during his testimony on the first day of his trial related to allegations of rape and domestic violence. He firmly rejected claims that a cellphone video showed the assault, a case that has deeply unsettled the royal family.
At 29, Marius, who became part of the royal family when his mother Mette-Marit married Crown Prince Haakon in 2001, discussed how public scrutiny from a young age drove him toward excessive drinking and sexual escapades.
If found guilty of the most serious of the 38 charges, he could be sentenced to several years in prison.
During his initial court appearance, he pleaded not guilty to the most severe charges but admitted to lesser offenses, like reckless behavior and aggravated assault, as allowed by Norwegian law. He also acknowledged minor infractions, including speeding violations.
This trial has captured national attention, particularly as Crown Princess Mette-Marit faces renewed scrutiny over her past connection to the late Jeffrey Epstein.
Hoiby reflects on his unique life experiences
Hoiby was visibly emotional, stating that it was tough to speak in front of a courtroom filled with journalists. “I’ve been followed by the press since I was three,” he lamented, noting that he often felt harassed. He mentioned being on “heavy medication,” trying his best in the legal proceedings.
Describing himself, he said, “I’m known as mama’s boy,” referring to his mother, Mette-Marit. “I have a strong need for validation,” he elaborated, admitting to past indulgences in sex and alcohol.
In his testimony, he expressed that “very few can relate to my life.” He wore jeans and a dark blue sweater over a beige shirt, often looking at notes as he spoke.
The charges against him include one count of rape with intercourse and three without, some allegedly recorded. He insisted he never shared any video and denied that it showed any non-consensual act.
“If I thought I had evidence of an assault, I wouldn’t keep it,” he stated.
Testimony on Wednesday focused on an afterparty in 2018 where prosecutors claim he videoed himself engaging in sexual acts with an unconscious woman. While he admitted to having sex with her, he insisted she was awake and said, “I called her a taxi afterward.”
He added, “I don’t have sex with people who aren’t conscious.”
The alleged victim, who remains anonymous for privacy, testified that she learned about the video when police reached out and claimed she did not consent to what was filmed. Prosecutors maintained she was incapacitated at the time.
The trial is expected to continue until March 19.
Facing multiple challenges
Aside from the trial, Norway’s royal family is dealing with other issues, particularly the ongoing investigation into Mette-Marit’s past connections to Epstein. The palace announced that her intended personal trip abroad has been postponed, though they did not provide details.
A recent poll indicated that support for the monarchy has dropped to 61% from 72% last year, while the desire for a republic has risen by 10 points to 27%.
King Harald, 88, Europe’s oldest reigning monarch, reduced his public engagements in 2024 after hospitalization and receiving a pacemaker. Mette-Marit has her own health challenges, having been diagnosed with a chronic lung condition in 2018 that required a transplant.
King Harald’s daughter, Martha Louise, stepped back from royal duties in 2022 to pursue business interests and has distanced herself from her title in commercial activities.
The couple faced criticism after they appeared in a Netflix documentary detailing their lives, which featured remarks about the king and queen.
