By David Young-
The son of Norway’s crown princess has pleaded not guilty to rape charges and one of domestic violence. as he went on trial for multiple offences.
He also pleaded guilty to one count of offensive sexual behaviour, driving too fast and driving without a valid license.
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Marius Borg Hoiby, 29, faces multiple years in prison if found guilty of any of the serious charges against him at Oslo District Court.
Mr Holby is the eldest son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit from a previous relationship and the stepson of the heir to the throne, Crown Prince Haakon. Hoiby has no royal title or official duties.
He stood for 24 minutes while prosecutor Sturla Henriksbo read out the 38 counts against him at the Oslo district court, asking him if he pleaded guilty. He replied “no” to each of the most serious charges, including the four counts of rape.
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The charges also include abuse in a close relationship against one former partner, acts of violence against another and transporting 3.5kg of marijuana. Others include making death threats and traffic violations.
Seven alleged victims are expected to give evidence in the high profile trial in Norway.
“There is equality before the law,” Mr Henriksbo told the court. “The defendant is the son of the crown princess. He is part of the royal family. He shall nevertheless be treated in the same way as any other person who is charged with the same offences.”
The defendant sat between two defence lawyers for the beginning of the trial and moved later to a table behind them, where he fiddled with a chain while the prosecutor outlined the allegations.
Reflecting international interest in the trial, the judge addressed the court in English, warning that it was prohibited to record or take photographs in the courtroom and advising that some of the evidence of witnesses would be heard behind closed doors.
Hoiby’s defence team has said that he “denies all charges of sexual abuse, as well as the majority of the charges regarding violence”.
He was free pending trial until Sunday, when police said he was arrested over new allegations of assault, threats with a knife and violation of a restraining order.
The Oslo court on Monday granted a request to keep him in detention for up to four weeks on the grounds of a risk of reoffending. Defence lawyer Petar Sekulic said the arrest followed an alleged “incident” involving another person on Sunday.
He declined to give details but said Hoiby contests his detention and his legal team is considering an appeal as soon as he and the other person can provide statements to police.
The criminal indictment centres on four alleged rapes between 2018 and November 2024. It includes alleged violence and threats against a former partner between the summer of 2022 and the autumn of 2023. Two alleged acts of violence against a subsequent partner, along with violations of a restraining order.
One of the charges includes one count of rape with sexual intercourse, and three counts of rape without sexual intercourse, some of which were filmed on his phone, according to the prosecution.
Additional charges came on stream in January, which included the possession and transport of 3.5kg of Marijuana.
Chief prosecutor, Sturla Henriksbone said Mr. Holby would be treated like any other Norwegian.
”He will not be treated tougher or milder because of he is part of this family”, Mr Henrikboek said in his opening statements. In response, Mr Holby’s lawyer said his client’s treatment had been anything but fair.
”The press coverage-which defendant sees, 10,000 articles written about him? He has experienced books being written about him and more are coming, Elien Holager told the court.
”Our client has absolutely not received normal treatment. And he has not received any positive treatment.
In a statement to the press, Prince Haakon said: ”we love him. He is an important part of our family. He is a Norwegian citizen, so he has the same responsibilities as everyone else, as well as the same rights”.
King Harald, 88, and the royals are generally popular in Norway.
And Hoiby’s trial is opening just as Mette-Marit faces renewed scrutiny over her past contacts with Jeffrey Epstein following the release on Friday of a new batch of documents from the Epstein files.
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