The son of Norway’s crown princess pleaded not guilty to rape and domestic violence charges as his trial opened Tuesday, while admitting to several lesser offences.
Marius Borg Hoiby, 29, son of Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit and stepson of Crown Prince Haakon, may be sentenced to several years in prison if convicted of the most serious charges among the 38 counts brought against him.
A Norwegian court ruled Monday that Hoiby would remain in police detention following new allegations, ahead of a separate trial involving rape and other crimes.
Prosecutors allege Hoiby committed one count of rape involving sexual intercourse and three counts without intercourse, some of which were filmed on his mobile phone. He is also charged with possessing and transporting 3.5 kilograms of marijuana.
Oslo District Court judges Jon Sverdrup Efjestad (c) during the first day of the trial against Marius Borg Hoiby, in Oslo, Norway, February 3, 2026. Photo: Reuters/Gwladys Fouche
On Tuesday, Hoiby denied four rape charges and one count of domestic violence. He pleaded guilty to offensive sexual behaviour, speeding, and driving without a valid licence. He entered partial guilty pleas, permitted under Norwegian law, to aggravated assault and reckless conduct.
Lead prosecutor Sturla Henriksboe told the court Hoiby would receive no special treatment because of his royal connections.
Crown Prince Haakon said he and his wife do not plan to attend the hearings.
As the trial began, a new poll suggested declining public support for Norway’s monarchy. The proceedings follow an apology from Hoiby’s mother last week for her “poor judgment” in maintaining contact with the late U.S. sex offender Jeffrey Epstein after his 2008 conviction.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said Mette-Marit demonstrated poor judgment by keeping contact with Epstein. Recently released U.S. Justice Department files revealed extensive email exchanges between Mette-Marit and Epstein after his 2008 conviction for child sex crimes.
Meanwhile, Norway’s parliament on Tuesday overwhelmingly voted to retain the monarchy, rejecting a proposal to replace it with a republic.
