Son of Norwegian Princess on Trial: Victims' Testimonies and Rape Charges

The criminal trial in Oslo focuses on the actions of Marius Borg Høiby, the stepson of the crown prince. The prosecution has brought a total of 38 charges against him, the most serious concerning four rapes. According to the indictment, Høiby allegedly performed sexual acts on women who were unconscious or otherwise unable to resist. Victims describe him as aggressive and obsessive, particularly when under the influence of psychoactive substances. On the eleventh day of the trial, the defendant spoke again, addressing the traumatic witness accounts that have shaken Norwegian public opinion. A key issue in the investigation is incidents from 2024, when Høiby allegedly attacked one of the women in a hotel room while already under police supervision in another matter. The indictment also includes lesser offenses, such as traffic violations and physical abuse of partners. One alleged victim testified that she woke up while the defendant was performing brutal acts on her, with everything allegedly being recorded on a mobile phone. The defense argues that the defendant was struggling with paranoia and fear of constant media and public scrutiny at the time, which may have affected his perception of reality. Marius Borg Høiby holds no noble titles or official royal duties, being the child of Mette-Marit's relationship before her marriage to Prince Haakon in 2001. This situation is unprecedented in modern Norwegian history, testing the authority of the monarchy. In recent days of the trial, the defendant expressed deep discomfort with the presence of cameras, calling himself "the most hated man in Norway." Nevertheless, he systematically attends hearings presided over by a professional judge and two lay judges. The verdict in this multi-faceted case is expected after all expert witnesses and witnesses are heard, which, given the 38 points of indictment, makes it one of the most complex proceedings involving a person linked to a royal family in Europe. „I had strong paranoia at that time due to photos circulating in the media.” — Marius Borg Høiby Rapes: 4, Physical violence: 8, Traffic violations: 12, Other offenses: 14 38 — total charges faced by the son of the Norwegian princess