The son of Norway’s Crown Princess has told a court that a sexual encounter at the centre of a high-profile rape trial was consensual, as proceedings continue to draw intense public and media scrutiny in the Nordic country.
Testifying on Tuesday, Marius Borg Høiby, the eldest son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit, rejected the prosecution’s allegation that he raped a woman following a private gathering. Speaking through his legal team, Høiby maintained that the encounter occurred with mutual consent and denied using force or coercion.
The case, which is being heard at a district court in Oslo, has placed the Norwegian royal household under an unusual spotlight, despite Høiby holding no formal royal title and having no constitutional role.
Prosecutors allege that the complainant was incapable of giving consent at the time of the encounter, citing her condition and circumstances on the night in question. They argue that Høiby should have recognized her vulnerability and refrained from sexual activity.
Court documents indicate that the prosecution’s case relies on forensic evidence, witness testimony, and digital communications, alongside the complainant’s account of events.
Norwegian law defines rape broadly, including sexual activity with a person who is unconscious or otherwise unable to consent, even in the absence of physical violence.
Høiby’s defence lawyers told the court that the prosecution’s narrative is inconsistent with available evidence, insisting the interaction was voluntary and initiated by both parties.
“The defendant has been clear and consistent: the sexual encounter was consensual,” his lawyer said, adding that messages exchanged before and after the meeting support that claim.
The defence also questioned the interpretation of forensic findings and urged the court to assess the case without being influenced by Høiby’s family background.
While Norway’s monarchy has remained officially silent, the trial has sparked widespread debate about equality before the law, consent, and the impact of public status on criminal proceedings.
Legal analysts note that the case is being handled under the same judicial standards applied to any Norwegian citizen. “The court is obligated to consider only the evidence presented, not the defendant’s lineage,” one legal expert said.
Crown Princess Mette-Marit married Crown Prince Haakon in 2001. Høiby, from her previous relationship, has lived largely outside royal duties but remains a well-known public figure in Norway.
The trial is expected to continue with further witness testimony, including expert evidence, before closing arguments are delivered. A verdict is anticipated later in the year.
Under Norwegian law, rape carries a potential prison sentence of several years if proven.
As proceedings continue, the court has reiterated that the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty, and reporting restrictions remain in place to protect the identity of the complainant.
