A criminal trial involving the son of Norway’s crown princess is set to begin Tuesday as his mother faces an investigation into her relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. Such controversies have plunged the country’s royal family into an unprecedented legal crisis and led to intense public scrutiny of the institution.
Marius Borg Hoiby, son of Norway’s crown princess, pleaded guilty to four counts of rape on February 3, 2026, at the start of a trial that embarrasses the royal family. (AFP)Marius Borg Hoeby, 29, the son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit and stepson of Crown Prince Haakon, will appear in court to face an extensive list of 38 charges including rape, domestic violence and drug offences.
His lawyer, Petar Sekulik, told Reuters that Hiby pleaded not guilty to the rape or domestic violence charges, although he pleaded guilty to some less serious cases.
“He will explain this in detail in court,” Sekulik said.
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The Norwegian royal family’s most serious crisisThe seven-week trial, which runs until March 19, is being described as one of the most serious cases to confront Norway’s justice system in decades, with the possibility of lengthy prison terms if convicted on the most serious charges, a BBC report said.
Norway is a constitutional monarchy, where the king serves as the ceremonial head of state while political authority rests with the parliament and government.
According to historian Trond Noren Isaksen, the case represented the most serious crisis to affect the Norwegian royal family in peacetime, although Hyby held no royal title and did not inherit it, Reuters reported.
The trial comes days after Crown Princess Mette-Merit apologized for her “poor judgment” in maintaining contact with the late US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein after he was convicted of child sex offenses in 2008.
Rape, possession of marijuana and 36 other chargesCrown Prince Haakon has said that neither he nor Mette-Merit plans to take part in court proceedings, adding that he believes the justice system is fair and just.
Speaking about his stepson, Haakon said: “We love him, he’s an important part of our family. He’s a Norwegian citizen, so he has the same responsibilities and the same rights as everyone else.”
He also expressed condolences to the alleged victims. “We think about them, we know many are going through a difficult time,” he said.
Prosecutors said the charges against Haibi include one count of rape involving intercourse and three counts of rape without intercourse, some of which she allegedly filmed on her phone.
In January, prosecutors added new charges, including possession and transportation of 3.5 kg (7.72 lb) of marijuana.
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Police had earlier named a woman as a suspect in a case of physical abuse in 2024 with whom he was having an affair.
In a statement to the media at the time, Highby admitted to causing bodily harm to the woman and damaging her apartment while under the influence of cocaine and alcohol. He says he regrets his actions.
What is the ongoing crisis?The trial comes amid wider challenges for the Norwegian royal family. In addition to the investigation surrounding Met-Marriott’s past relationship with Epstein, 88-year-old King Harald has reduced his public duties after being hospitalized for an infection in 2024 and later receiving a pacemaker.
Mette-Marritt has also faced health issues, having been diagnosed in 2018 with pulmonary fibrosis, a chronic lung disease that causes scarring and reduces oxygen intake.
Meanwhile, King Harald’s daughter, Princess Martha Louise, stepped down from official royal duties in 2022 to pursue private business interests. She and her husband, an American self-styled shaman, said they would stop using her princess title for commercial purposes.
The couple faced criticism last year for appearing in a Netflix documentary about their daily life, including their wedding, and for publicly criticizing the king and queen.
