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Norway’s royal family is facing an unusually turbulent moment as Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s son prepares to stand trial this week on multiple criminal charges, including rape, as the recently released Jeffrey Epstein documents reopen the investigation into his past contact with the princess.
The defendant, Marius Borg Hoiby, is scheduled to appear in Oslo District Court on Tuesday following an indictment handed up last summer following a lengthy investigation. Hoibi is not part of the royal household and has no official role.
Authorities arrested Hoibi several times in 2024 as the charges escalated, although he was not detained until prosecutors built their case.
Prosecutors accused Hoiby of committing multiple sexual assaults over a period of several years and engaging in violent and threatening behavior toward former partners. The alleged incidents span from 2018 to late 2024 and include allegations of violating a restraining order.
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Marius Borg Hoiby and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway in Oslo, June 16, 2022. (Lise Aserud/NTB via AP)
If found guilty, the 29-year-old could face up to 10 years in prison. Court proceedings are expected to continue until mid-March.
After the arraignment, defense lawyer Petar Sekulić said his client denies all allegations of sexual abuse and disputes most of the charges related to violence.
Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway visits the International Library of Fashion at Stasjonsmeisterbygningen in Oslo on January 24, 2025. (Rune Hellestad/Corbis/Getty Images)
The case has proven embarrassing for a monarchy that generally enjoys strong public support in Norway, attracting constant media attention both at home and abroad.
That attention intensified last week with the release of a new trove of records involving Epstein. The documents include hundreds of references to Crown Princess Mette-Marite, who previously acknowledged and expressed regret for her contact with Epstein.
Crown Prince Haakon Magnus and Crown Princess Mette-Marit attend the Save the Children Peace Prize Party at the Nobel Peace Center on December 10, 2024 in Oslo, Norway. (Per Ole Hagen/Getty Images)
The records, which include email correspondence, indicate that Mette-Marit stayed for several days in Palm Beach, Florida, which was Epstein’s estate, in early 2013 – the royal family has said the trip was arranged through a mutual friend, according to Norwegian broadcaster NRK.
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In comments to The Associated Press, Mette-Marit said she failed to adequately investigate Epstein’s background at the time and expressed regret at the association, calling it a shameful lapse in judgment. He also said he had deep sympathy for the victims of Epstein’s abuse.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
