Norwegian Royal Family Rocked by Rape Allegations in High-Profile Trial
A seven-week trial has commenced in Norway, threatening to deeply tarnish the image of the royal family following allegations of multiple rapes involving a close associate of Prince Haakon. The case centers around accusations against Marius Høiby, and has already prompted Princess Mette-Marit to postpone an upcoming foreign trip.
A woman, whose identity is being protected by the media, first became fully aware of the alleged assaults years later, when police presented her with incriminating photos and videos seized from the accused. “I didn’t believe it. I couldn’t believe Marius would do something like that to me. It’s a betrayal and a shock,” she stated, recalling the moment she was shown the evidence. The images reportedly depict her unconscious, leading her to suspect she was drugged. “Look at my face: do I look conscious? It’s clear that I’m completely unconscious. It doesn’t even look like I’m breathing,” she said on Wednesday, describing the photos and videos.
The prosecution alleges that four separate rapes occurred after consensual sexual activity, often following evenings involving heavy alcohol consumption where the alleged victims were unable to defend themselves. One of the alleged incidents took place while Mr. Høiby was vacationing with Prince Haakon in the Lofoten Islands in 2023. The woman herself has a “big black hole” in her memory of the night in question, stating she does not recall falling asleep. She expressed a firm belief that she “may have ingested something without my knowledge,” adding, “That’s what I believe, 100%.”
However, the defense team argues that the encounters were “perfectly normal and consensual sexual relations.” Ellen Holager Andenæs, Mr. Høiby’s lawyer, highlighted the environment in which these events allegedly occurred, stating on Tuesday, “It’s an environment where drug use is high, not just alcohol, but also illegal substances like cocaine and others.” She further added, “We must also not hide the fact that sex occupies a very important place in what happens in this environment.”
The defense also pointed to a previous police interview where the alleged victim reportedly stated she did not believe she had been drugged, a contradiction to her recent statements.
As of Wednesday, doubts remain regarding Mr. Høiby’s willingness to testify. He appeared visibly agitated on Tuesday, exhibiting nervous shaking. His lawyer, Petar Sekulic, offered a terse response when asked about his client’s readiness to take the stand, stating, “We’ll see.”
This scandal represents the most significant crisis to confront the Norwegian royal family in its history. The princely couple will not be attending the trial. Beyond the immediate allegations, Princess Mette-Marit is also facing scrutiny regarding past connections to convicted sex criminal Jeffrey Epstein, following the recent publication of related documents in the United States. Adding to the challenges, the princess is currently battling an incurable lung disease, with a potential lung transplant on the horizon.
