Norway’s Royal Stepson's Rape Trial Opens, First Victim Testifies Amid Epstein Revelations
Updated (6 articles)
Trial Commences With 38 Charges and Not‑Guilty Plea Marius Borg Høiby, 29, the stepson of Crown Princess Mette‑Marit, appeared before Oslo District Court on 2 February 2026 to face 38 criminal counts, including four rapes, assault, threats, drug offences and traffic violations [1][2][3][6]. He pleaded not guilty to all sexual‑offence allegations while admitting to several non‑sexual offences such as breaching a restraining order and aggravated assault [1][2]. The court scheduled a seven‑week hearing expected to run through mid‑March, with a potential sentence exceeding ten years if convicted [3][6].
First Victim Testifies Behind Closed Doors Under Photo Ban The trial’s first witness, a woman who said she consented briefly before a “big black hole” in her memory, gave emotional testimony in a sealed courtroom [1]. Police had recovered videos of the alleged assaults on Høiby’s phone after his 2024 arrest, which the prosecution referenced during cross‑examination [1]. Journalists observed the testimony from an adjoining room while a strict ban prohibited any photographs of the defendant or victims for the trial’s duration [1][6].
Epstein Email Leak Links Crown Princess to Controversial Figure U.S. Department of Justice files released in early February revealed more than 900 email hits for the princess’s official address, showing messages from 2011‑2014 that described Epstein as “sweetheart” and discussed a “good for adultery” Paris trip [2][3][5]. The documents also named former prime minister Thorbjørn Jagland and current PM Jonas Gahr Støre among others, prompting political scrutiny [2]. Crown Prince Haakon and the royal household publicly distanced themselves from the trial, stating Høiby is not a member of the Royal House and will be treated like any Norwegian citizen [2][3].
Monarchy’s Popularity Remains High Despite Scandal A Norstat poll from late 2025 showed 73 % of Norwegians still support the royal family, while a later Verdens Gang snap poll recorded a dip to 60.9 % amid the trial and Epstein revelations [1]. Nonetheless, parliament voted overwhelmingly to retain the constitutional monarchy, indicating institutional backing despite rising republican sentiment [3].
Sources
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1.
BBC: Norway royal stepson on trial for alleged 2018 rapes – Details the opening of the trial, the first victim’s testimony, photo bans, and declining poll support for the monarchy .
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2.
Newsweek: Norway’s royal stepson faces rape trial as Epstein emails surface – Highlights the trial’s start, Høiby’s re‑arrest, partial guilty pleas on non‑sexual charges, and the release of Epstein‑related emails involving the princess and other politicians .
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CNN: Norway’s royal family faces rape trial and Epstein email scandal – Reports the seven‑week trial, potential sentence, victim testimony, and the royal family’s distancing statements, plus parliamentary support for the monarchy .
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4.
BBC: Crown Princess’ Son Remanded in Custody Ahead of 38‑Count Trial – Covers Høiby’s pre‑trial custody, his fourth detention, and the princess’s health issues alongside the Epstein correspondence .
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BBC: Norway’s Prime Minister Backs Crown Princess’s Epstein Apology – Describes PM Støre’s endorsement of the princess’s apology, details of the Epstein emails, and the upcoming trial .
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BBC: Norway’s royal family under scrutiny as stepson’s rape trial begins – Provides an overview of the charges, photo ban, the princess’s health, and public support levels for the monarchy .
Timeline
2011‑2014 – Crown Princess Mette‑Marit maintains frequent contact with Jeffrey Epstein, including a four‑day stay at his Palm Beach home in January 2013; DOJ‑released emails show her calling him “sweetheart,” discussing a wallpaper idea with naked women, and describing Paris as “good for adultery” [3][5][6].
August 2024 – Police detain Marius Borg Høiby for the first time, accusing him of assaulting a former partner, marking the start of a series of legal troubles that later expand to sexual‑offence allegations [2].
2024 (after August) – Police arrest Høiby again and discover videos of non‑consensual sexual filming on his phone, evidence later presented at his 2026 trial [1].
Feb 1, 2026 – Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre publicly backs Crown Princess Mette‑Marit’s apology, saying “I agree with Crown Princess Mette‑Marit’s statement that she showed poor judgement,” while the princess repeats her regret, stating “I showed poor judgement and regret having any contact with Epstein at all. It is simply embarrassing” [3].
Feb 1, 2026 – A Norstat poll from late 2025 shows 73 % of Norwegians still support the monarchy, but a Verdens Gang snap poll released this week drops favorability to 60.9 % and finds 44 % say Mette‑Marit should not become queen, indicating rising republican sentiment [1].
Feb 2, 2026 – Oslo District Court remands Høiby in custody for four weeks, citing risk of reoffending; Crown Prince Haakon issues a statement expressing sympathy for the women and families involved [2].
Feb 2, 2026 – Reports note that Crown Princess Mette‑Marit’s pulmonary fibrosis has progressed to the point where doctors place her on a lung‑transplant waiting list, adding personal strain amid the scandal [2].
Feb 3, 2026 – The seven‑week rape trial of Marius Borg Høiby begins at Oslo District Court; the court imposes a strict photo ban and conducts the first victim’s testimony behind closed doors, with the woman describing a “big black hole” in her memory after brief consent [1].
Feb 3, 2026 – Høiby pleads not guilty to all rape counts but admits bodily harm and several lesser offences, while prosecutor Sturla Henriksbø asserts “Høiby will be treated like any Norwegian,” and defence counsel Ellen Holager Andenæs warns of a “tsunami of negative publicity” [1].
Feb 3, 2026 – Newly released DOJ files reveal over 900 email hits from the princess’s official address, including 2012 messages calling Epstein “very charming” and describing Paris as “good for adultery,” prompting further scrutiny of Norwegian political figures [5][6].
Feb 3, 2026 – Crown Prince Haakon distances the royal house from the case, stating that Høiby “is not a member of the Royal House and will be treated as any Norwegian citizen,” and confirms neither he nor the princess will attend the courtroom [5][6].
Feb 3, 2026 – Norway’s parliament votes overwhelmingly to maintain the constitutional monarchy, reaffirming institutional support despite the ongoing trial and Epstein revelations [5].
Mid‑March 2026 (expected) – The trial is scheduled to conclude after approximately seven weeks, at which point a verdict could result in a sentence exceeding ten years for Høiby [5].
External resources (7 links)
- https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%2010/EFTA01912491.pdf (cited 1 times)
- https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%2010/EFTA02007335.pdf (cited 1 times)
- https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%2010/EFTA02033693.pdf (cited 1 times)
- https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%209/EFTA00838021.pdf (cited 1 times)
- https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%209/EFTA00951792.pdf (cited 1 times)
- https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%209/EFTA01005325.pdf (cited 1 times)
- https://www.nettavisen.no/tove-taalesen/ (cited 1 times)