Prosecutors in Norway have detailed four charges of rape against Marius Borg Høiby, the son of the country's Crown Princess, in what has emerged as one of the most significant criminal cases in recent years.
Høiby appeared in court to deny the most serious of the 38 offenses he is accused of committing. Evidence has been provided from one of the alleged victims, recounting events from 2018, as the trial unfolds amid a cloud of public and media interest.
Despite not being officially a member of the royal family, the focus on Høiby has intensified following his connections to Crown Princess Mette-Marit, who has recently faced criticism stemming from her past communications with the late Jeffrey Epstein.
The trial highlights increasing scrutiny of both Høiby and his mother, with Mette-Marit publicly expressing regret over her previous associations while dealing with the fallout from the case. As the proceedings continue, heavy restrictions have been placed on how the case is reported, including bans on photographs of the defendant.
The charges against Høiby include serious allegations of sexual misconduct. As the court opened, the gravity of the case became apparent, with the prosecutor outlining a range of charges from sexual assault to illegal drug possession, which Høiby has partially admitted to.
State prosecutors allege that the first rape took place during a party at his parents' home when he was 21. The accusations span several years, involving instances in which the alleged victims were reported as incapacitated. Høiby’s defense, supported by his legal team, seeks to maintain the principle of presumption of innocence throughout this tumultuous case.
As this trial commences, the implications extend far beyond Høiby himself, potentially impacting perceptions of the Norwegian royal family amid rising tensions related to public opinion towards the monarchy.
