Son of Norwegian Princess on Trial Amidst Allegations of Violence and Sexual Assault

Oslo, Norway – Marius Borg Høiby, the son of Norwegian Crown Princess Mette-Marit, is currently on trial facing 38 charges, including four counts of rape, alongside accusations of domestic violence and assault. The case has sent shockwaves through Norway and garnered international media attention.

Ex-Girlfriend Testifies to Aggressive Behavior

An ex-girlfriend of Høiby, an influencer, testified in Oslo court on Friday, detailing a pattern of violence and aggression during their relationship from 2022 to 2023, according to Norwegian newspaper Verdens Gang. She described Høiby as having “two faces,” alternating between a pleasant demeanor and a frightening, aggressive persona.

“There’s the sweet clown,” she told the court, and then “Marius, whom I couldn’t communicate with.” She likened his aggressive outbursts to “as if a pit bull was standing in front of you.”

The influencer alleged that Høiby repeatedly attempted to strangle her, threatened her, kicked her, threw objects at her, and shouted at her. She also stated that he would become enraged when questioned about rumors of infidelity or when she accessed his phone.

Denial of Sexual Offenses

Høiby has denied the allegations of sexual offenses included in the indictment. The trial began on February 3, 2026, and is taking place in Oslo district court. The BBC reported that Høiby appeared shaken in court on Tuesday and received hospital treatment overnight after an alleged assault on Sunday.

Royal Family Under Scrutiny

The trial coincides with increased scrutiny of Crown Princess Mette-Marit following the revelation of hundreds of messages exchanged with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein over a three-year period. The BBC reported that the palace announced Mette-Marit had postponed a private trip “until further notice” amid the criticism surrounding the correspondence, with the Crown Princess expressing regret and poor judgement over the exchanges.

Høiby is not a member of the royal family but has grown up as part of the extended family. The Latest York Times noted the trial began as his mother faced pressure over her ties to Epstein.

Previous Admissions

Høiby has admitted to transporting drugs and speeding, but denies the rape charges. Reuters reported that Høiby cried in court and denied the allegations presented in videos shown as evidence.