Newscasts - Son of Norway's crown princess denies rape, admits lesser charges in court
03/02/2026 16:43
Click the following link to watch video: https://share.newscasts.refinitiv.com/link?entryId=1_udc998ho&referenceId=tag:reuters.com,2026:newsml_RW233803022026RP1_K15&pageId=Newscasts Source: 'Reuters - General news videos' Description: The son of Norway's crown princess pleaded not guilty to rape and domestic violence but admitted to some lesser charges on the first day of his trial on Tuesday, a case that has shaken the already embattled royal family. Zachary Goelman produced this report. Short Link: https://lseg.group/4qWdahG Video Transcript: The first day of a criminal trial embroiling Norway's royal family opened on Tuesday. The accused is 29-year-old Marius Borg Hoiby, who faces 38 charges, including rape. Hoiby is not himself a royal, but he is the son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit and stepson to Crown Prince Haakon, heir to the throne. Hoiby on Tuesday pleaded not guilty to four counts of rape and one count of domestic violence. He pleaded guilty to other charges, including one count of offensive sexual behavior, driving too fast, and driving without a valid license. He also said he was partially guilty, a plea allowed under Norwegian law, of aggravated assault and reckless behavior. Heading into the opening of the trial, the lead prosecutor said his team had prepared for this day for a long time. In his opening statement, he told the judge Hoiby would be treated like any other Norwegian. In response, Hoiby's lawyer said her client's treatment had been anything but fair. She said he'd been the subject of thousands of articles and books, calling that the opposite of normal treatment. The trial started, a poll pointed to erosion in Norwegians' traditionally strong support for their monarchy. The newspaper Verdens Gang showed a fall in the number of Norwegians who favored keeping the monarchy, down to 61% from 72% last year and a ten-percentage point rise to 27% in support for a republic. But on Tuesday, the country's parliament voted overwhelmingly in favor of maintaining the monarchy, rejecting a proposed change. The proceedings come days after Hoiby's mother apologized for her "poor judgment" in maintaining contacts with the late US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein after he was convicted in 2008. Crown Prince Haakon said in a statement he and his wife were not planning to attend the court proceedings. About Hoiby, Haakon said, "We love him. He's an important part of our family. He is a Norwegian citizen, so he has the same responsibilities as everyone else, as well as the same rights." The prosecution said the charges against Hoiby include counts of rape, both with and without sexual intercourse, some of which he filmed on his telephone. He also faces charges of possession and transporting 3.5 kilograms of marijuana. In 2024, police named Hoiby as a suspect of physical assault against a woman with whom he had been in a relationship. Hoiby, in a statement to the media at the time, admitted to causing bodily harm to the woman while he was under the influence of cocaine and alcohol and of damaging her apartment. Hoiby said he regretted his acts. On Sunday, police detained Hoiby on suspicion of causing bodily harm, wielding a knife, and violating a restraining order.