A year and a half after Marius Borg Høiby was arrested by police over a violent episode at a woman's flat in Oslo, the son of Norway's crown princess is going on trial in the biggest case to come to court in years.
The seven-week trial opens at Oslo district court against a backdrop of almost daily revelations surrounding him and his mother, Crown Princess Mette-Marit.
On the eve of the trial, it was revealed the 29-year-old had been detained again under similar circumstances, suspected of assault, making threats with a knife, and violating a restraining order. He will begin the trial while in custody.
Heavy court restrictions have been imposed, banning any images of Høiby and details that could identify the four women he is alleged to have raped. The royal family will not attend any court proceedings.
This trial is not just a legal proceeding; it has heightened scrutiny of the royal family following disclosures about Crown Princess Mette-Marit's prior communications with Jeffrey Epstein, leading to claims of poor judgment. The fallout has already affected her reputation, including losing a patronage.
In total, Høiby faces 38 charges including multiple counts of sexual assault and drug offenses. His defense team plans to appeal against the detention decision and deny wrongdoing in many of the accusations.
As this dramatic legal battle unfolds, the public sentiment towards the royal family remains tense, impacted by a mix of personal and institutional crises.
