A year and a half after Marius Borg Høiby was arrested by police over a violent episode at a woman's flat in Oslo, the son of Norway's crown princess is going on trial in the biggest case to come to court here for years.
The seven-week trial opens at Oslo district court against a backdrop of almost daily revelations surrounding him and his mother, Crown Princess Mette-Marit.
On the eve of the trial, it emerged the 29-year-old had been detained again, on suspicion of assault, making threats with a knife, and violating a restraining order. He begins the trial in custody.
His defence team intends to appeal the decision. The crown princess faces criticism following revelations of her extensive contacts with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, admitting to poor judgement, leading to one organization severing ties with her as a patron.
Restrictive court measures are in place, with bans on any images of Høiby or details that could identify the alleged victims. The royal family will not attend the trial, which has attracted enormous interest throughout Norway and beyond.
Amidst the trial, Høiby faces 38 charges that include multiple counts of rape and sexual assault, and if found guilty, he could face a minimum of 10 years in prison. He is expected to testify on Wednesday.
This situation adds to the scrutiny surrounding Crown Princess Mette-Marit, who is dealing with a serious health issue alongside the fallout from her connections to Epstein, which include hundreds of emails showing inappropriate exchanges.
As the Norwegian public reacts with disappointment, the implications for the royal family and the crown princess’s standing are profound, with discussions about the future of the monarchy becoming increasingly relevant.
