The trial of Marius Borg Høiby, the son that Princess Mette-Marit had before marrying Crown Prince Haakon, begins in Oslo this February. It is already shaping up to be one of the most closely watched court cases in modern Norwegian history and in the history of royal families all over the world.
After the brief respite during the holiday season and a recent high-profile appearance by Princess Ingrid, Norway’s royal family is facing reality, entering a year that is primed to be dominated by legal proceedings and media coverage. Høiby, who entered the royal household at the age of four, is facing over 30 criminal charges in a case that has drawn unprecedented international attention.
Who Is Marius Borg Høiby?
Høiby is the eldest child of Princess Mette-Marit and her former partner, Morten Borg. In the 90’s, Borg was arrested for possessing drugs and served two prison sentences, charges that are being now brought to light due to his son’s trial.
After Mette-Marit started dating Prince Haakon, Høiby became a symbolic figure. During the royal wedding of 2001, he joined the Norwegian royal family, representing a modern shift in European royalty as his mother became the first single mother destined to be queen. Høiby has never held a royal title or official role, but his position within the royal family has placed him firmly in the public eye. He is the older brother of Princess Ingrid, Norway’s future queen, and will celebrate his 29th birthday on January 13th.
When and Where the Trial Takes Place
© LISE ASERUDHøiby’s trial is set to begin on February 3 at the Oslo District Court. Judges have reserved seven full weeks for proceedings, making it one of the longest trials scheduled in Norway’s recent judicial history.
The Charges at a Glance
Høiby faces 32 charges, including:
- Four counts of rape
- Abuse in close relationships
- Assault and public order offenses
- Violations of restraining orders
- Non-consensual filming of genitalia
- Threats and harassment of the police
- Multiple traffic violations
According to Norwegian outlet VG, Høiby denies most of the accusations. He has acknowledged only one assault: the incident on August 4, 2024, that led to his initial arrest and triggered the broader police investigation.
Over the past year, the Norwegian court has received around 190 media requests from around the world to cover the trial from inside the courtroom. Ultimately, 56 media organizations were accredited, including international agencies such as Reuters and AFP, as well as major outlets from Denmark, Sweden, and Germany, with the latter representing the country with the highest number of accredited media representatives.
The scale of coverage has raised concerns among attorneys representing the alleged victims, who are seeking to remain anonymous. While the trial will be public, the court plans to close proceedings during the most sensitive testimonies.
© Julian ParkerThe cost of the case so far
Legal fees have already reached significant figures. Defense attorneys Ellen Holager Andenæs and Petar Sekulic have received over 1.4 million Norwegian kroner, roughly $139,000 USD. Høiby’s former lawyer, Øyvind Bratlien, who represented him from the moment he was arrested in August 2024 until February of 2025, was paid 602,434 kroner, $60,000 USD, according to judicial sources cited by VG.
Court-appointed attorneys representing the opposing parties add further costs, with total legal expenses currently estimated at around 1.3 million kroner, roughly $141,000 USD.
If convicted on all charges, Høiby could face up to 16 years in prison, according to the Norwegian attorney Patrick Lundevall-Unger. Potential compensation claims have not yet been determined, and Norway’s Royal Household has stated it will not assume responsibility for any financial liabilities tied to the case. As proceedings approach, the trial is set to dominate headlines in Norway and beyond.
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