OSLO, Norway — A significant criminal trial commenced Tuesday against Marius Borg Høiby, the eldest son of Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit, marking a profound embarrassment for the royal family amidst simultaneous revelations about the crown princess’s past associations with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Høiby, 29, stands indicted on 38 criminal counts including rape, domestic abuse, drug trafficking, death threats, and traffic violations. The Oslo District Court will hear allegations detailing four separate rape incidents occurring between 2018 and November 2024, alongside patterns of violence against two former partners. Prosecutors indicate a potential decade-long prison sentence if convictions are secured during the trial, projected to continue through mid-March.
The defendant, product of Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s previous relationship, holds no royal title or formal duties within the monarchy. His stepfather, Crown Prince Haakon, issued an unusual public statement clarifying that neither he nor Mette-Marit intend to attend court proceedings, emphasizing Høiby’s status as a private citizen subject to Norway’s judicial system like any other.
Compounding the royal family’s challenges, newly unsealed court documents from the Epstein files reveal extensive communications between Crown Princess Mette-Marit and the disgraced financier. Norwegian media reports confirm she utilized Epstein’s Palm Beach, Florida property in early 2013 through a mutual acquaintance. In a contrite statement, the crown princess acknowledged ‘poor judgment’ and expressed deep regret for her association with Epstein, extending sympathy to his victims.
This dual controversy emerges alongside ongoing public scrutiny of Princess Märtha Louise’s unconventional business activities and her 2024 marriage to American self-described shaman Durek Verrett, collectively presenting unprecedented public relations challenges for Norway’s typically popular monarchy.
Defense attorney Petar Sekulic maintains his client’s innocence regarding all sexual abuse charges and most violence allegations, promising Høiby will present his comprehensive version of events during the judicial process.