Marius Borg Høiby, 29, the son of Norway's Crown Princess, appeared in court in Oslo, visibly emotional as he provided testimony during his rape trial. He described a life filled with parties and substance abuse, indicating a desperate need for validation.
As he spoke, Høiby's voice trembled, and he struggled to hold back tears, explaining the immense pressure from media scrutiny since childhood. He faces serious allegations, including four counts of rape and other offenses, all of which he denies.
The court heard earlier testimony from a woman who claimed she had been drugged and sexually assaulted by Høiby in December 2018. She expressed feelings of betrayal after viewing videos of the encounter presented by police, which led to Høiby’s arrest.
During his testimony, Høiby maintained that he has never engaged in sexual activity without his partner's consent and denied having any issues with substance abuse, despite the evidence presented against him. He expressed a sense of isolation, saying, “I am known for being Mamma's son. Nothing else.”
His mother, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, has faced her own controversies, recently revealed to have exchanged messages with Jeffrey Epstein, which has further intensified the scrutiny on the royal family.
As the proceedings continue, the court has prohibited the media from disclosing identifiable information about the women involved. Høiby is expected to continue giving evidence in the forthcoming sessions of the trial.
