Marius Borg Hoiby, the son of Norway's future Queen, appeared in court for the second day of his trial.

15:01, Wed, Feb 4, 2026 Updated: 15:01, Wed, Feb 4, 2026

marius borg hoiby

Marius Borg Hoiby held back tears in court (Image: Getty)

One day after pleading not guilty to four charges of rape, the Crown Princess of Norway's son held back tears as he gave evidence in a court in Oslo. Appearing for the second day of his lengthy trial, Marius Borg Høiby, 29, was noticeably nervous, his voice shaking as he stood to give evidence.

He paused several times to take off his glasses and wipe his eyes, telling the room it was very difficult to talk. He went on to complain that he had been followed by the press ever since he was three years old, when his mother, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, began a relationship with her future husband, Crown Prince Haakon.

Høiby is facing 38 charges, including rape, sexual assault and bodily harm, with the newest counts being added on Sunday evening when he was arrested for alleged assault, threats with a knife and violation of a restraining order.

marius borg hoiby court sketch

Marius Borg Hoiby appeared in a court sketch (Image: PA)

During his first appearance in court yesterday, he was seen shaking and was understood to have had hospital treatment overnight.

On Wednesday, Høiby took a seat in court and initially appeared overcome by the situation before regaining his composure and explaining to the court that he had had a lot of sex, drugs and alcohol owing to an extreme need for personal validation.

Speaking to the three judges at Oslo District Court, he said: "I am known for being Mamma's son. Nothing else. Few can relate to the life I have led. A lot of parties, alcohol, some drugs."

Høiby was giving evidence after the first woman he is alleged to have raped told the court she believed she had been drugged during an "after-party" in the basement of Høiby's parents' house in December 2018.

Speaking behind a closed door, she spoke of her sense of "betrayal and shock" after she was shown videos by police allegedly of him sexually assaulting her shortly after they had had brief, consensual sex.

marius borg hoiby court sketch

Marius Borg Hoiby is facing 38 charges (Image: PA)

Yesterday, Høiby stood for 24 minutes while prosecutor Sturla Henriksbo read out the 38 counts against him, asking him if he was pleading guilty. He replied “no” to each of the most serious charges, including four counts of rape.

However, he pleaded guilty to several driving offences, to an aggravated drugs offence and breaking a restraining order, and “partly” to threats and aggravated assault. 

The trial coincides with a challenging time for his mother, as she was named hundreds of times in the latest release of Department of Justice files related to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

The court has ordered the media not to give any information that might identify any of the four women. There is also a ban on any photos of Marius Borg Høiby, either inside the court building or on his way to and from the trial.

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The trial continues.