Norway royal’s son pleads not guilty to four counts of rape, amid Epstein link scandal

Marius Borg Hoiby, the 29-year-old son of Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit, pleaded not guilty to four counts of rape at the opening of his trial. The trial commenced amid significant public interest and concern due to the serious nature of the allegations against a member of the royal family. Hoiby is facing a total of 38 criminal charges, which include domestic violence, assault, and drug possession. He has previously been arrested on suspicion of threats, assault, and violating a restraining order, leading to a four-week remand in custody before the trial began (South China Morning Post, The New York Times, Deutsche Welle). During his testimony, Hoiby expressed an "extreme need for recognition" and admitted to a life of excess, breaking down in tears while addressing the Oslo district court. The trial has generated shock in Norway, particularly given the implications for the royal family (South China Morning Post, The New York Times). The case raises broader societal questions regarding accountability for public figures and their families (The New York Times). Compounding the situation, Crown Princess Mette-Marit is facing scrutiny due to her connections with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Newly unsealed documents revealed her name appeared over a thousand times in records related to Epstein, which has intensified media attention on her and her family during this challenging period (Deutsche Welle, France24). The intersection of the royal family's legal troubles and the Epstein scandal has sparked discussions about elite connections and their influence on the justice system and societal norms regarding sexual violence (The New York Times).