Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s Son Faces Rape Allegations

Oslo, Norway – Marius Borg Høiby, the 29-year-old son of Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit, is on trial facing serious allegations, including four counts of rape. The case has drawn significant media attention and placed the Norwegian royal family under unprecedented scrutiny.

Charges and Allegations

Høiby has pleaded not guilty to the charges, which include a total of 38 crimes, encompassing rape, assault, threats with a knife, and other offenses [1]. The alleged incidents occurred over a period of time, with some dating back to 2018.

Court Testimony and Evidence

During court proceedings at Oslo district court, Høiby stated he does not remember taking pictures and videos found on his phone that police allege depict him sexually assaulting a woman at a royal residence [1]. He claimed he could see the woman appeared to be sleeping in the videos but denied any charges of rape. The prosecution presented four films and ten pictures taken between 7:12 am and 7:17 am in December 2018, alleging a rape without intercourse occurred during this timeframe [1]. The alleged incident took place in the basement of Skaugum, the official residence of the crown prince and princess, even as they were upstairs.

Legal Context

in Norway, rape can be defined as occurring with or without intercourse [1]. If convicted on the most serious charges, Høiby faces up to 16 years in prison.

Broader Implications

This trial occurs at a sensitive time for the Norwegian royal family, as Crown Princess Mette-Marit has also faced criticism regarding her past connections with the late Jeffrey Epstein [1]. Høiby was initially charged with 32 offenses in August 2025 [2], with the number of charges later increasing to 38 [3].

Recent Developments

Recent reports indicate the alleged victim stated she took sleeping pills before the alleged assault [4]. The prosecution believes consensual sexual relations occurred initially, followed by the alleged rape depicted in subsequent videos [4].