Oslo, Norway. Marius Borg Hoiby, the son of Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit, pleaded not guilty to rape and domestic violence on the first day of his trial on Tuesday. He admitted to some lesser charges in a case that has affected the Norwegian royal family.
Charges and pleas
Hoiby, 29, faces 38 charges and could face multiple years in prison if found guilty of the most serious allegations. On Tuesday, he pleaded not guilty to four counts of rape and one count of domestic violence.
He pleaded guilty to one count of offensive sexual behaviour, driving too fast and driving without a valid license, among other charges. He also said he was partially guilty, a plea allowed under Norwegian law, of aggravated assault and reckless behaviour.
Royal family context
The case has been described as the most serious crisis to hit the Norwegian royal family in peacetime, according to historian Trond Noren Isaksen. Hoiby does not have a royal title and is outside the line of succession.
The trial began days after Crown Princess Mette-Marit apologised for her “poor judgment” for maintaining contacts with the late U.S. sex offender Jeffrey Epstein after he was convicted of child sex crimes in 2008.
Courtroom and prosecution
After a short adjournment, Hoiby returned to sit behind his lawyers, wearing a brown jumper over a white T-shirt and dark green trousers. His body sometimes shook and his hands were clasped tightly together.
Lead prosecutor Sturla Henriksboe said Hoiby would be treated like any other Norwegian. “He will not be handled tougher or milder because he is part of this family,” Henriksboe said in his opening statement.
Attendance by Crown Prince and Crown Princess
Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit are not planning to attend court proceedings, Haakon said in a statement. He added that he trusted the justice system to be fair and proper.
What do you think the court proceedings could mean for public confidence in Norway’s royal family?