The trial of Marius Borg Høiby, son of Norway's crown princess, has heard the first account from a woman he is alleged to have raped at a party in 2018. The woman told the court in tears she had no recollection of what had happened, after an earlier sexual encounter that lasted a matter of seconds.
Facing 38 charges against him, Marius Borg Høiby pleaded not guilty to raping four women and other serious offences but admitted breaking a restraining order, transporting marijuana and speeding while 'partly' admitting threats and aggravated assault. He is due to take the stand for the first time in the trial on Wednesday afternoon.
Although he has grown up as Crown Prince Haakon's stepson, Høiby is not a member of the royal family or a public figure. The first count of rape is alleged to have taken place in his parents' basement on their Skaugum estate outside Oslo.
As the trial began at Oslo district court on Tuesday, the palace came under increasing pressure to explain his mother's three-year exchange of messages with the late sex-offender Jeffrey Epstein between 2011 and 2014. Crown Princess Mette-Marit has already admitted to 'poor judgement' after details emerged of a four-day stay at his home in Palm Beach, Miami. But the palace has said little more as further revelations have emerged.
A small number of journalists were allowed to follow proceedings in an adjoining room, and details of the young woman's evidence have emerged from their accounts. Describing the situation as surreal and overwhelming, she said it was unfair she was being dragged into the criminal case and it was the last thing she wanted. The events took place in 2018 and it was not until after the defendant's arrest in 2024 that police found videos on his phone. She told the court that they had consensual sex for a few seconds before she put an end to it. Then there was a 'big black hole' in her memory.
Prosecutor Sturla Henriksbø emphasized that Høiby would be treated no differently than any other Norwegian. The trial is set to last seven weeks and carries significant implications for the public standing of Norway's royal family, which remains largely popular despite recent scandals.
Facing 38 charges against him, Marius Borg Høiby pleaded not guilty to raping four women and other serious offences but admitted breaking a restraining order, transporting marijuana and speeding while 'partly' admitting threats and aggravated assault. He is due to take the stand for the first time in the trial on Wednesday afternoon.
Although he has grown up as Crown Prince Haakon's stepson, Høiby is not a member of the royal family or a public figure. The first count of rape is alleged to have taken place in his parents' basement on their Skaugum estate outside Oslo.
As the trial began at Oslo district court on Tuesday, the palace came under increasing pressure to explain his mother's three-year exchange of messages with the late sex-offender Jeffrey Epstein between 2011 and 2014. Crown Princess Mette-Marit has already admitted to 'poor judgement' after details emerged of a four-day stay at his home in Palm Beach, Miami. But the palace has said little more as further revelations have emerged.
A small number of journalists were allowed to follow proceedings in an adjoining room, and details of the young woman's evidence have emerged from their accounts. Describing the situation as surreal and overwhelming, she said it was unfair she was being dragged into the criminal case and it was the last thing she wanted. The events took place in 2018 and it was not until after the defendant's arrest in 2024 that police found videos on his phone. She told the court that they had consensual sex for a few seconds before she put an end to it. Then there was a 'big black hole' in her memory.
Prosecutor Sturla Henriksbø emphasized that Høiby would be treated no differently than any other Norwegian. The trial is set to last seven weeks and carries significant implications for the public standing of Norway's royal family, which remains largely popular despite recent scandals.
