Marius Borg Høiby, the son of Norwegian Crown Princess Mette-Marit, denied the rape charges against him on the first day of his high-profile trial, which has caused embarrassment for the royal family.
Høiby (29) pleaded not guilty to the four rape charges but admitted to other, less serious offenses.
Norwegian police announced on Monday that they had arrested the Crown Princess’s son on suspicion of several violations.
Oslo police confirmed that “Marius Borg Høiby (29) was arrested on Sunday evening on suspicion of causing bodily harm, making threats with a knife, and violating a restraining order.”
In a statement, they explained they had requested Høiby be held in custody for four weeks, fearing he might repeat the offenses.
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The son of the Crown Princess, who was born before his mother Mette-Marit married the Crown Prince of Norway, appeared before the Oslo District Court on Tuesday morning to face charges including four incidents of rape and assaults on former girlfriends.
Potential Sentence of Up to 16 Years
Høiby admitted to some violations but denied the more serious charges. Former girlfriends have filed lawsuits against him, and he is subject to strict orders prohibiting contact with them.
He faces a potential sentence of up to 16 years in prison if convicted in the trial, which is scheduled to last until March 19.
Following the reading of the indictment in the morning, the first alleged rape victim is scheduled to give her testimony in a closed session in the afternoon.
Marius Borg Høiby
Marius Borg Høiby is the son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway and her former partner. He is a member of the Norwegian royal family by extension and has been in the public eye since his mother’s marriage to Crown Prince Haakon in 2001.
Norwegian Crown Princess Mette-Marit
Norwegian Crown Princess Mette-Marit is the wife of Crown Prince Haakon and became a member of the Norwegian Royal Family upon their marriage in 2001. Her background as a commoner and single mother prior to the marriage marked a significant modernizing moment for the monarchy.
Norwegian royal family
The Norwegian royal family is a constitutional monarchy, with King Harald V as the current head of state. The modern dynasty was established in 1905 when Norway gained independence from Sweden and invited Prince Carl of Denmark to become King Haakon VII.
Norwegian police
The Norwegian police is a unified national law enforcement agency established in 1936, consolidating previously independent city and district forces. It operates under the principle of “Politiets rolle er å hjelpe” (“The police’s role is to help”), emphasizing a community-oriented and largely unarmed approach to public service and safety.
Oslo police
The Oslo Police District is the primary law enforcement agency for Norway’s capital, established in 1744. It is responsible for policing the city and has evolved significantly, most notably in its response to modern threats like the 2011 terrorist attacks in Oslo and on Utøya island.
Oslo District Court
The Oslo District Court is the primary city and district court for Oslo, Norway, handling civil, criminal, and enforcement cases. Established in its modern form in the 20th century, it operates within the Norwegian judicial system, with its main building at C.J. Hambros plass serving as a central legal venue since 1999.
Crown Prince of Norway
The Crown Prince of Norway is a title held by the heir apparent to the Norwegian throne, currently held by Crown Prince Haakon since 1991. The position is established by the Norwegian Constitution of 1814, which created a hereditary constitutional monarchy following Norway’s independence from Denmark.
