Royal Shadow: Norway's Crown Princess's Son Faces 38 Charges in High-Profile Trial

Royal Shadow: Norway's Crown Princess's Son Faces 38 Charges in High-Profile Trial

OSLO – What began as a noise complaint at a luxury Oslo apartment last August has spiraled into the most severe scandal in modern Norwegian royal history. This Tuesday, Marius Borg Høiby, the 29-year-old son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit, will stand trial in Oslo District Court, confronting a staggering 38 criminal charges, including four counts of rape, assault, and drug transportation.

The case, which has captivated and shocked the nation, stems from a police visit to a property in the affluent Frogner district. Responding to reports of a domestic argument, officers documented a scene of alleged violence: a shattered chandelier and a knife embedded in a wall. The suspect, Mr. Høiby, was arrested hours later.

Subsequent investigations, which saw multiple alleged victims come forward, paint a picture of sustained alleged abuse. Prosecutors accuse Høiby of physical violence, choking a victim, threatening to set her clothes alight, and sexually assaulting women while they slept. He has denied all serious allegations, pleading not guilty to rape and violent assault, though he has admitted to lesser charges including transporting 3.5kg of cannabis.

"He takes the accusations very seriously but does not acknowledge any wrongdoing in most of the cases, particularly those concerning sexual abuse and violence," stated his lawyer, Petar Sekulic. The trial, expected to last seven weeks, will hear testimony from several women, including named plaintiff Nora Haukland, Høiby's ex-girlfriend and a social media influencer.

The proceedings cast a long shadow over the House of Glücksburg. While Høiby holds no royal title—he was born before his mother's marriage to Crown Prince Haakon—his upbringing was inextricably linked to the palace. Dubbed "Little Marius" as a charming page boy at his mother's 2001 wedding, his adult life evolved into a playboy persona, frequenting exclusive nightclubs and funded by a royal allowance.

In a rare pre-trial statement, Crown Prince Haakon sought to delineate family from institution: "Marius Borg Høiby is not a member of the royal house... He is a citizen of Norway and, as such, has the same responsibilities as everyone else." The Crown Prince and Princess confirmed they would not attend the trial.

Monarchy experts note the unprecedented nature of the crisis. "This is without a doubt the biggest scandal," said historian Trond Noren Isaksen. "There have been controversies, but never real scandals involving criminal offences of this magnitude."

The trial compounds existing strains on the family, including Crown Princess Mette-Marit's serious lung illness and the controversial marriage of Princess Märtha Louise. A fresh controversy emerged over the weekend with revelations from the Jeffrey Epstein files, which noted a past meeting between the Crown Princess and the disgraced financier.

Despite the turmoil, the monarchy retains robust public support, with recent polls showing a 73% approval rating. Yet, the coming weeks in Courtroom 250 will test the resilience of that goodwill, as the personal tribulations of a royal son become a very public legal reckoning.

Public Reaction

Kari Johansen, 58, Teacher from Bergen: "It's a tragic situation for everyone involved, especially the alleged victims. The monarchy has always been a symbol of stability for us. This trial forces a difficult conversation about privilege, accountability, and where the line is drawn between private family matters and public duty."

Lars Mikkelsen, 41, Political Commentator in Oslo: "The institutional response has been carefully managed—emphasizing Høiby's non-royal status is a clear damage-control strategy. This case is less about the monarchy's survival and more about how modern constitutional royals navigate private crises that become unavoidably public."

Elin Sørdal, 34, Activist and Blogger: "This isn't just a 'scandal'—it's a horrific list of alleged crimes. The narrative of a 'playboy gone wild' dangerously softens what we're talking about: rape and violent assault charges. The palace's distancing act feels cold. Real accountability means confronting the culture that enabled this, not just issuing legal disclaimers."

Henrik Falk, 67, Retired Civil Servant from Trondheim: "I remember seeing 'Little Marius' at the wedding. To see him in this position now is heartbreaking. It speaks to profound personal struggles. The law must run its course without fear or favor, but as a grandfather, I also feel deep sorrow for a family in immense pain."