Rape Trial Opens For Norway Crown Princess’ Son

Rape Trial Opens for Norway Crown Princess’ Son Amid Royal Scandal and Epstein Email Fallout
Oslo / Norway (Feb 3, 2026) The high-profile rape trial of Marius Borg Høiby, the 29-year-old son of Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit, opened in an Oslo courtroom on Tuesday, drawing intense national and international scrutiny as the royal family grapples with overlapping scandals including newly released Jeffrey Epstein-related emails involving the princess. The proceedings mark the start of a seven-week trial before the Oslo District Court, where Høiby faces a sweeping indictment that has captured public attention and heightened debate about the future of the Norwegian monarchy. Prosecutors allege that Høiby committed 38 offences between 2018 and 2024, including: Four counts of rape involving multiple women, as detailed in the indictment. Repeated abuse and violent conduct against former partners. Threats with a knife, coercion, and non-consensual filming. Drug-related offences and traffic violations.
At the outset of the trial, Høiby pleaded not guilty to the most serious sexual abuse charges, admitting only to minor driving and drug-related offences, while contesting nearly all allegations of sexual violence and assault If convicted on the most serious counts, he could face a prison sentence exceeding 10 years under Norwegian law.
Høiby was detained by police late on Sunday, two days before the trial’s start, on additional allegations including assault, threats with a knife, and breaching a restraining order prompting a court to approve his custody for up to four weeks amid concerns he might reoffend.
His lawyer has indicated plans to appeal the detention decision as the legal process unfolds. Although Høiby is not formally a member of the Norwegian royal house and holds no royal title, his close family ties have placed the royal household under intense public scrutiny.
Crown Prince Haakon the heir apparent has stated that neither he nor Crown Princess Mette-Marit will attend court proceedings, emphasizing that Høiby is a private citizen subject to Norway’s legal system like any other and that the royal household will not comment publicly during the trial. The trial comes amid renewed controversy over the Crown Princess’s past association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following the release of previously sealed U.S. Epstein files late last month. Norwegian media report that Mette Marit’s name appears hundreds of times in the released documents, which include email exchanges with Epstein between 2011 and 2014 even references to a four-day stay at his Palm Beach property in 2013, which the royal household confirmed occurred through a mutual acquaintance. The Crown Princess has issued statements acknowledging she “showed poor judgment” in her contact with Epstein and expressed regret, sympathy, and solidarity with his victims. While Norway’s monarchy traditionally enjoys broad public support, the combination of Høiby’s criminal charges and the renewed Epstein-related scrutiny of the Crown Princess has sparked debate about the institution’s credibility. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre publicly agreed with Mette-Marit’s admission of poor judgment, signalling political acknowledgment of the seriousness of the controversy. Some public opinion polls show growing disappointment and concern, although formal moves to abolish the monarchy remain unlikely. One of Norway’s most extensive criminal cases: The scope and number of charges make this among the most significant sexual assault trials in recent Norwegian history.
Royal reputation tested: The case has thrust the country’s royal family into an unusually high-profile legal and ethical spotlight, intersecting with the wider fallout from the global Epstein scandal.
Legal equality narrative: Norwegian authorities have stressed that Høiby’s legal process is being treated like any other citizen’s, underscoring principles of the rule of law.