The oldest son of Norway’s crown princess was taken into custody just before the commencement of his trial on charges that include rape, as confirmed by the police on Monday. Marius Borg Høiby was apprehended on Sunday evening for alleged assault, knife threats, and breaching a restraining order, according to a police statement. Authorities sought a four-week detention citing the risk of further offenses.
Scheduled for Tuesday at the Oslo district court, Høiby’s trial encompasses 38 charges, such as rape, domestic abuse against a former partner, violent acts towards another individual, and possession of 3.5 kilograms of marijuana. Additional accusations involve issuing death threats and traffic infractions.
Høiby, 29, has been under scrutiny since multiple arrests in 2024 on various charges, but he had remained free pending trial until his recent arrest. Prosecutors have outlined that a conviction could lead to a potential 10-year prison sentence, with the trial anticipated to extend until mid-March.
Born from a prior relationship of Mette-Marit and stepson to the heir to the throne, Crown Prince Haakon, Høiby’s case has overshadowed the typically favorable public perception of the royal family in Norway.
Ahead of the trial, the release of new documents from the Epstein files on Friday shed an unfavorable light on Mette-Marit. The documents revealed numerous references to the crown princess and her prior interactions with Epstein, including her stay at one of his properties in Florida in 2013. Mette-Marit expressed regret for not investigating Epstein’s background more thoroughly and distanced herself from any association with him.
Besides Mette-Marit’s connections with Epstein, the Høiby trial, and the negative attention they have attracted, Princess Märtha Louise, Haakon’s sister, has faced criticism for her business dealings. Notably, she married Durek Verrett, an American self-proclaimed shaman, around the same time Høiby’s legal issues were gaining traction in 2024.