Marius Borg Høiby: Sex Video Scandal & Court Updates

OSLO – The trial of Marius Borg Høiby, the 29-year-old son of Norwegian Crown Princess Mette-Marit, continues to grip the nation and draw international scrutiny, with new details emerging daily regarding allegations of sexual assault and a lifestyle marked by late-night parties and drug use. Høiby faces 38 charges, including four counts of rape, alongside accusations of violence, vandalism, drug transport, and speeding.

The Oslo County Court has heard testimony from multiple women alleging non-consensual sexual acts. A third woman testified on February 13th, stating she was intoxicated and had taken sleeping pills before engaging in sexual activity with Høiby, after which she alleges he engaged in non-consensual acts. She recounted feeling “very tired, incredibly exhausted,” and struggling to remain awake, having taken the pills to combat insomnia. The woman stated she would “never have accepted” being filmed during sexual encounters, a charge leveled against Høiby in connection with this incident.

Høiby, who denies the rape allegations, acknowledged a “blackout” and vague memories of the evening in question. He admitted to consuming alcohol, ketamine, and cocaine in the hours leading up to the alleged assault. He claimed he did not perceive the woman as being asleep at any point.

The prosecution has presented video evidence seized from Høiby’s mobile phone, purportedly showing both consensual sexual activity and the alleged assaults. The court was shown five videos, with the first depicting consensual relations and the subsequent four allegedly depicting rape. The alleged victim testified that if she had known she was being filmed, she would have stopped the encounter.

The trial has revealed a pattern of late-night parties, often referred to as “nachspiel,” held at the royal estate of Skaugum, west of Oslo. Høiby testified that sending text messages or making phone calls during sexual encounters was not unusual for him, a detail reported by the newspaper Aftenposten. This revelation has fueled criticism of his behavior and raised questions about his judgment.

Høiby maintains that all sexual encounters were consensual, claiming the women were awake and willing participants. However, prosecutors argue that some of the women were asleep, drunk, or potentially drugged. Several alleged victims were reportedly unaware of the extent of the sexual activity until presented with the videos and photos found on Høiby’s phone.

The case has placed the Norwegian royal family under an unwelcome spotlight, particularly Crown Princess Mette-Marit. The trial coincides with scrutiny over her past correspondence with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, with hundreds of messages exchanged over a three-year period. The palace announced on February 17th that the Crown Princess has postponed a private trip “until further notice” amid the ongoing criticism. She has expressed regret and acknowledged poor judgment regarding the correspondence.

Høiby has expressed frustration at being defined solely as “Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s son” and has attributed some of his troubles to what he perceives as excessive media attention over the years. He has denied drugging any of the women, while admitting his life has largely revolved around sex, alcohol, and drugs.

The trial, which began just over a week ago with Høiby’s own testimony, is expected to last for another five weeks. The case is considered one of the most significant in Norwegian legal history, not only due to the severity of the charges but also because of the involvement of a member of the extended royal family. Høiby faces a potential prison sentence of up to 16 years if convicted. The central question remains whether the women were in a condition to freely consent to the sexual acts, a point fiercely contested by the prosecution and the defense.

Police discovered the alleged sexual videos on Høiby’s phone during a second arrest, according to reports. Høiby was also briefly detained prior to the trial on suspicion of assault, and reportedly received hospital treatment overnight after that arrest, rather than being held in custody. He appeared visibly fatigued during a recent court appearance, prompting concerns about his well-being.

The alleged victim who spoke to the court on February 13th described the experience as her “greatest nightmare,” highlighting the profound emotional impact of the alleged assault. The trial continues to unfold, promising further revelations and a critical examination of the events surrounding the allegations against Marius Borg Høiby.