LAGOS, Nigeria(VOICE OF NAIJA)- The Norwegian monarchy is gripped by a true-crime drama as Marius Borg Høiby, son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit, stands trial for a staggering 38 criminal charges.
In an Oslo District Court appearance that has captivated the nation, the 28-year-old quietly denied four counts of rape, even as prosecutors detailed a “tsunami” of evidence ranging from sexual assault to high-speed chases and drug trafficking.
Høiby, who is not a titled royal, has continued to pull the Royal House of Norway into a PR quagmire with his ongoing legal troubles.
Despite being treated like family by the King and Queen for over two decades, his private citizen status means he’s not entitled to royal privileges.
This distinction explains why the Royal House is keeping him at arm’s length amid his 38 criminal charges, though the association still spells trouble for the monarchy.
On Tuesday, February 3, 2026, the trial kicked off with harrowing testimony from a woman who alleged she was assaulted in 2018 in the basement of the royal estate.
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While she described her memory of the night as a “big black hole,” the prosecution dropped a bombshell. Høiby’s own phone had videos allegedly found by the police, showing the victim being assaulted while incapacitated.
The drama doesn’t stop with the son, even Crown Princess Mette-Marit is facing her own firestorm after over 900 emails published by the U.S. Department of Justice revealed a cozy relationship with late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The correspondence shows the future Queen calling Epstein “sweetheart” and even discussing inappropriate “nude” wallpaper for her son.
As a result, the backlash was swift, with organizations like the Sex and Society Foundation ditching her as their high-profile patron.
Back in the courtroom, Høiby’s defense team, led by Ellen Holager Andenæs, argues he is being unfairly attacked by the media. Despite admitting to some instances of bodily harm and transporting 3.5kg of marijuana, Høiby remains firm on his innocence regarding the rape charges. His trial kicked off while he was behind bars, having been detained for a fourth time, just days before the hearing over alleged breaches of a restraining order.
As this seven-week legal marathon unfolds, the popularity of the monarchy which once ranked a solid 73% faces an existential threat. Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, demanded transparency, while the republicans are pushing to abolish the throne.
Ultimately, the verdict of the three-judge panel could lead to a decade-long prison sentence and a permanent stain on the royal legacy.
