Norway's Crown Princess' Son Accused of Rape by Second Woman: "My Worst Nightmare"
In a courtroom in Oslo, a young woman recounted a harrowing experience on Tuesday, alleging that Marius Borg Hoiby, the son of Norway's Crown Princess, raped her while she slept. She described the incident as her "worst nightmare."
Hoiby, 29, is facing 38 charges, including the rape of four women and various assaults against former partners. He has denied the most severe allegations and could face a maximum sentence of 16 years if found guilty.
The latest testimony detailed an incident that allegedly occurred on October 8, 2023, after an after-party in the Lofoten Islands, where Hoiby was visiting with his stepfather during a surfing trip. The woman, who met Hoiby through Tinder, stated that after consensual sex, she awoke to find him engaging in non-consensual acts.
"That's always been my worst nightmare," she told the court, recalling how she tried to dissociate from the assault. "I remember waking up when he was already underway. I thought, 'I don't understand how someone can have sex with someone who's sleeping.'" Her recollection included feelings of pain and confusion as she described her body not being prepared for the encounter.
To support her claims, the prosecution presented a video allegedly recorded by Hoiby during the incident, which reportedly shows the woman asleep. Prosecutor Sturla Henriksbo emphasized that this five-second clip is crucial evidence. Additionally, data from the woman's fitness watch indicated she was asleep at the time of the alleged assault. "According to the prosecution, the change in heart rate is the most decisive factor," Henriksbo stated.
Hoiby appeared visibly shaken at the start of the proceedings, trembling as he awaited his turn to testify. Last week, another woman testified that Hoiby raped her at a different after-party in December 2018 at his parents' royal estate.
The defense has dismissed all allegations of rape, asserting that the encounters were consensual. Just days prior to this trial, Hoiby faced new charges involving assault and threats with a knife.
This case has placed significant strain on the royal family, particularly on Crown Princess Mette-Marit, who is managing her own health issues while grappling with her son's legal troubles. Crown Prince Haakon publicly stated that neither he nor Mette-Marit would attend the trial.
Hoiby was raised alongside his step-siblings, Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus, but unlike them, he does not hold an official public role. In a statement regarding his status, Haakon noted that Hoiby is not a member of the Royal House of Norway and thus has autonomy. "We care about him, and he is an important member of our family," Haakon said. "He is a citizen of Norway and has the same responsibilities and rights as everyone else."
