A devastating royal crisis engulfed Norway as Marius Borg Høiby, the 29-year-old stepson of Crown Prince Haakon and son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit, went on trial Tuesday for rape and domestic violence charges, while new polling data reveals plummeting public support for the monarchy itself.
The trial, which began February 3, 2026, at Oslo District Court, sees Høiby facing 38 criminal charges spanning six years from 2018 to 2024. The charges include four counts of rape, multiple domestic violence allegations, drug possession, knife threats, and restraining order violations. If convicted on all counts, he faces a maximum sentence of 16 years in prison.
Unprecedented Dual Royal Scandal
The legal proceedings coincide with an explosive scandal involving Crown Princess Mette-Marit herself, whose name appears over 1,000 times in recently released Jeffrey Epstein documents. The dual crises have created what royal experts describe as the gravest threat to the Norwegian monarchy in modern history.
According to fresh polling data published by VG newspaper on Tuesday, nearly half of Norwegians now believe Crown Princess Mette-Marit should not become queen. The dramatic polling shift reflects the mounting crisis facing the royal family as they grapple with both scandals simultaneously.
"This is dramatic, not overraskende [surprising]," said VG editor, commenting on the polling results that show a sharp decline in public support for the monarchy.
— VG Editorial Team
Court Proceedings and Legal Drama
In the Oslo courtroom Tuesday morning, Høiby stood for 24 minutes while prosecutor Sturla Henriksbø read out all 38 charges against him. When asked to enter his plea for each charge, Høiby replied "no" to the most serious allegations, including all four rape counts, while admitting partial guilt to some lesser charges.
The defendant was re-arrested just two days before the trial began, on February 1, for allegedly threatening his former girlfriend with a knife and violating a restraining order. Oslo District Court ordered him detained until March 2, ensuring he would remain in custody throughout the anticipated seven-week trial.
Høiby's legal troubles began escalating in August 2024 when he was first arrested for domestic violence against an ex-girlfriend. The charges have since expanded to include allegations from multiple former partners, painting a disturbing pattern of alleged abuse spanning several years.
International Media Attention
The trial has attracted unprecedented international media coverage, with journalists from across Europe, North America, and Asia descending on Oslo. Citizens began queuing for courthouse gallery seats, reflecting the intense public interest in proceedings that could reshape Norway's constitutional monarchy.
The royal family has distanced itself from the trial, announcing they will not attend any court sessions. This decision underscores the delicate position of Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit as they attempt to maintain the monarchy's dignity while their family faces criminal proceedings.
The Epstein Connection Crisis
Compounding the family's legal troubles, Crown Princess Mette-Marit finds herself embroiled in the Jeffrey Epstein scandal following the release of over 3 million pages of documents by the U.S. Department of Justice in February 2026. Her name appears more than 1,000 times in the files, revealing what investigators described as "intimate messages" and an "unexpectedly close relationship" with the convicted sex offender.
The revelations prompted immediate institutional consequences. Sex og Samfunn (Sex and Society), Norway's leading sexual health organization, terminated all collaborative partnerships with the Crown Princess - marking the first major institutional rejection of royal family involvement.
Norwegian financial crime authority Økokrim is now considering whether to launch a criminal investigation into the royal connections with Epstein, adding another layer of legal jeopardy to the crisis.
Political and Constitutional Implications
Former Prime Minister Erna Solberg has demanded complete transparency from the royal family, stating that "only honesty can end this crisis." The growing calls for accountability reflect deeper questions about the monarchy's role in Norwegian democracy and whether the institution can survive such unprecedented scandals.
Royal expert Sigrid Hvidsten described the combined crises as "the largest royal scandal in modern history," warning that the kingdom's security could be at risk. The constitutional monarchy faces existential questions as public trust erodes and institutional partners distance themselves from royal associations.
The case represents a potential precedent for constitutional monarchies across Europe, as similar institutions watch how Norway's judicial system handles criminal charges involving the royal family. The proceedings test the principle of judicial independence and equal treatment under the law, regardless of royal connections.
Media Ethics and Coverage Debates
The crisis has also sparked debates about media responsibility and the protection of royal families. Norwegian tabloid Se og Hør admitted to sitting on information about Høiby's alleged misconduct for years, with editors now expressing regret about not publishing earlier reports.
The magazine's editor acknowledged accusations that police provided special treatment to the royal stepson, raising questions about whether his status protected him from earlier accountability. This admission has intensified criticism of both media outlets and law enforcement agencies for allegedly enabling the alleged pattern of abuse.
European Precedent and International Implications
The Norwegian royal crisis occurs amid broader challenges facing European monarchies in the 21st century. Similar constitutional monarchies are closely monitoring how Norway handles the dual scandals, as they could establish precedents for accountability and transparency in royal institutions.
The case highlights the tension between protecting royal privacy and ensuring equal justice under law. As other European royal families face their own scandals and accountability questions, the Norwegian crisis may signal a broader shift in how democratic societies view hereditary institutions.
Family Dynamics and Personal Tragedy
Beyond the legal and constitutional implications, the crisis represents a personal tragedy for the Norwegian royal family. Høiby, who has no royal title or official duties, grew up in the public eye as the stepson of the future king.
On Monday evening before the trial began, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, Crown Prince Haakon, and Princess Ingrid Alexandra visited Høiby in the hospital, where he had been taken for unspecified reasons. The family visit underscored the personal anguish beneath the public crisis.
The royal family now faces the impossible task of supporting a family member while maintaining their constitutional role and public trust. Their decision not to attend court proceedings reflects the careful balance they must strike between personal loyalty and institutional responsibility.
Public Opinion and Constitutional Future
The polling data showing nearly half of Norwegians believe Mette-Marit should not become queen represents a seismic shift in public opinion about the monarchy. This erosion of support raises fundamental questions about the institution's future in Norwegian society.
Some citizens have reportedly expressed desire for "the royal family to be gone within ten years," according to media reports, suggesting the crisis may have lasting implications for Norway's constitutional structure.
The monarchy's survival may depend on how effectively the royal family addresses both crises with transparency and accountability. The coming weeks of court proceedings will likely determine not only Høiby's legal fate but also the future of Norway's centuries-old monarchy.
Trial Timeline and Expectations
The trial is expected to last seven weeks, with witnesses including alleged victims, law enforcement officers, and forensic experts. The prosecution will present evidence spanning the six-year period covered by the charges, while the defense is expected to challenge both the credibility of witnesses and the strength of the evidence.
Given the high-profile nature of the case and its implications for the royal family, every detail of the proceedings will face intense scrutiny from both Norwegian and international media. The trial represents one of the most significant legal challenges to a European monarchy in decades.
As Norway grapples with this unprecedented crisis, the nation faces fundamental questions about the future of its institutions, the accountability of public figures, and the balance between tradition and democratic values in the 21st century.