Norway’s Crown Princess Son Testifies in Rape Trial, Claims Possible Drugging
Oslo, Norway – – The trial of Marius Borg Høiby, son of Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit, continued today with testimony alleging the defendant may have drugged a woman during an alleged sexual assault. Høiby, 29, is on trial facing four counts of rape and a multitude of other charges, including assault and drug offenses.
The first woman to give evidence in the trial told the court she had no recollection of events following consensual sex at an “after-party” held at his parents’ residence outside Oslo in December 2018. She stated she suspected she had been drugged, expressing a sense of “betrayal and shock” after police showed her videos allegedly depicting a sexual assault. The woman’s identity is being protected under a court order.
Høiby has pleaded not guilty to the four rape charges but admits to some of the 34 other offenses he faces. He has not been accused of drugging anyone, but the allegation raised by the first witness adds a new layer to the case. He admitted to transporting drugs and speeding.
Timeline of Events
The alleged incident occurred during an after-party following an event attended by Crown Prince Haakon and Princess Mette-Marit. The prosecution alleges that after a period of consensual activity, Høiby sexually assaulted the woman while she was incapacitated. Four films and ten pictures, reportedly taken between 7:12 am and 7:17 am, are central to the prosecution’s case.
Høiby took the stand earlier this week and reportedly broke down in tears, stating he does not remember taking the pictures and videos presented as evidence. He also complained of years of harassment from the press, stating he has been followed since he was three years old. He appeared shaken during his first court appearance on Tuesday and received hospital treatment overnight rather than being held in custody.
Pulsklokke (Pulse Watch) Evidence and Expert Testimony
A key piece of evidence in the case is a pulsklokke, or pulse watch, worn by the alleged victim during the incident. Prosecutors believe data from the watch – specifically, the woman’s pulse rate – may indicate whether she was asleep or conscious during the alleged assault. However, questions have been raised about the accuracy of the watch’s measurements.
To address these concerns, the court has called upon Ståle Pallesen, a sleep expert and professor, to provide an expert opinion on the data collected from the pulsklokke. Pallesen is expected to testify on Thursday.
Broader Context: Royal Family Under Scrutiny
The trial coincides with a period of intense scrutiny for the Norwegian royal family. Crown Princess Mette-Marit is facing criticism over the recent revelation of hundreds of messages exchanged with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein over a three-year period. The palace has acknowledged the correspondence and expressed regret over what it described as poor judgment.
Princess Mette-Marit has postponed a private trip “until further notice” amid the ongoing controversy and her son’s trial. Høiby, while not a member of the royal family or a public figure, has grown up within the extended royal family.
Charges Against Marius Borg Høiby
The state prosecutor has accused Marius Borg Høiby of a total of 38 offenses, including:
- Four counts of rape
- Domestic violence against a former partner
- Assaults, threats, vandalism, and violations of a restraining order against another former partner
- Filming the undergarments of multiple women without their knowledge or consent
- Drapstrusler (death threats)
- Forulemping av politiet (harassment of police)
- Multiple traffic violations
In addition to the original charges, a supplementary indictment was filed on , adding:
- One count of aggravated drug offenses
- Two additional violations of a restraining order
- Three counts of reckless driving with a motorcycle
Høiby faces up to 16 years in prison if convicted on all counts. The trial is ongoing, and further testimony is expected in the coming days.
