In the biggest scandal to rock the Norwegian monarchy, Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s son goes on trial on Tuesday accused of raping four womenas well as criminal offenses related to drugs and assault.

Marius Borg HoibyThe 29-year-old son of Mette-Marit from a relationship before she married Crown Prince Haakon, has been charged with a total of 38 counts, some of which date back to 2018.

He faces up to 16 years in prison if the Oslo District Court finds him guilty. It is expected that the trial, which should last until March 19, will be intensively covered by the media.

“When it comes to the Norwegian royal family, it is without a doubt the biggest scandal” in its 120-year history, Trond Noren Isaksen, a historian and expert on the Norwegian monarchy, told AFP.

There were controversies about the choice of spouse, about the renovation of the palace and similar things, but there were never any real criminal scandals, let alone so many, he said.

The most serious charges against Hoiby are four counts of rape and physical and psychological abuse of several ex-girlfriends.

So far, he has only admitted to some of the lighter charges.

“Hoiby is saving his version of events for the court,” she told AFP from the law firm defending him.

Some rapes were recorded

A tall blonde who cultivates a “bad boy” look with slicked back hair, earrings, rings and tattoos, Hoiby was arrested August 4, 2024, suspected of assaulting his girlfriend the night before.

A few days later, he admitted that he acted “under the influence of alcohol and cocaine after an argument”, that he suffered from “psychological problems” and that he had “struggled with addiction for a long time”.

An investigation into that incident revealed a number of other suspicious crimes, including the rape of four women while they were asleep or passed out while drunk, some of which he filmed.

The four rapes allegedly took place in 2018, 2023 and 2024, the last after the police investigation began.

Last week, police announced six new charges against him, including a “felony drug offense” from 2020 in which he transported 3.5 kilograms of marijuana, without payment. He confessed to that crime.

The case exposed the bad company of Hoiby, who has no royal title, official role and professional career. The princely couple takes care of him financially.

It also deeply embarrassed the royal family, especially his mother, who suffers from an incurable lung disease and who is torn between her role as mother and future queen.

Haakon published a statement on Wednesday, saying that neither he nor Mette-Marit planned to attend the trial, he said.

“Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this case. It has an impact on individuals, their families and all those who care about them. We understand that this is a difficult time for many of you and we sympathize,” Haakon said in a statement released by the Royal House of Norway and shared in English.

“At the same time, I am encouraged by the fact that we live in a state governed by the rule of law. I am confident that those responsible for overseeing the proceedings will ensure that the trial is conducted in the most orderly, proper and fair manner,” it continued.

“An important member of our family”

Prosecutor Sturla Henriksbo insisted that all people are equal before the law, “regardless of their social status, origin or family ties.”

“This means that Hoiby should be treated neither more leniently nor more strictly because of his family connection,” he told AFP.

Hoiby was raised by the royal couple along with his half-siblings Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus. Unlike them, he does not have an official public role.

In his statement on Wednesday, Haakon alluded to Hoiby’s “autonomous” status.

“Marius Borg Høiby is not a member of the Royal House of Norway and is therefore autonomous. We care about him and he is an important member of our family. He is a citizen of Norway and, as such, has the same responsibilities as everyone else – as well as the same rights,” Haakon said.

The prosecutor said the most serious crimes carry sentences of up to 10 years behind bars, which can increase to a maximum of 16 years if the court finds him guilty on several counts.

The scandal — which comes on top of the antics of Princess Martha Louise, Haakon’s older sister who married a self-proclaimed American shaman in 2024 — has tarnished the image of the royal family, although it remains very popular in Norway.

A poll released Wednesday by public broadcaster NRK found that 70 percent of respondents supported the monarchy, compared with 81 percent in 2017.

“People feel sympathy for the aging royal couple, who are clearly completely innocent in this matter,” said Carl-Erik Grimstad, a former palace employee turned writer, referring to King Harald and Queen Sonja, both 88 and considered unifiers of the nation.

And “in times of geopolitical turbulence, people often gather around the symbols that are closest to them,” he added.

A verdict is expected a few weeks after the end of the trial.