Son of Norway's crown princess chokes back tears giving evidence at rape trial

Marius Borg Høiby, the son of Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit, appeared in court on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, to give evidence in his trial for rape and over 30 other alleged offenses. The 29-year-old, visibly emotional, held back tears as he spoke, complaining of relentless media scrutiny since childhood. His trial follows allegations from four women, including one who testified that she believed she had been drugged during an 'after-party' at his parents' home in December 2018. The court has imposed strict reporting restrictions to protect the identities of the alleged victims and the defendant. Høiby denies all charges, including four counts of rape, which are alleged to have occurred between December 2018 and November 2024. The trial comes at a challenging time for the Norwegian royal family, as Crown Princess Mette-Marit faces criticism over her past correspondence with the late US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Høiby's defense focuses on his alleged struggles with mental health and substance abuse, which he claims have been exacerbated by his public profile as the son of a royal figure. The prosecution argues that the defendant's actions constitute serious criminal offenses, including rape and assault, which could result in a lengthy prison sentence if he is found guilty.