Son of Norwegian Crown Princess Mette-Marit Marius Borg Høiby (29) on Wednesday he testified at the Oslo District Court in a trial in which he is accused of 38 crimes, including four counts of rape and assault. During his testimony, he broke down in tears and admitted that he had led a life full of excesses out of an extreme need for recognition.
“Most of the time I’m just known as my mother’s son, nothing else. So I’ve had an extreme need for recognition all my life. And that’s manifested itself in a lot of sex, a lot of drugs and a lot of alcohol.” stated before the court. He added that the media had been harassing him since three years ago, when his mother’s relationship with Crown Prince Haakon became public. Mounds he denies guilt on the most serious charges. If convicted, he faces up to 16 years in prison.
His statement came after a woman appeared in court who said she believed she had been drugged before Høiby raped her at the royal residence of Skaugum near Oslo. She described a brief consensual sexual encounter that she ended. A few years later she was contacted by police after discovering footage and images that investigators say show the rape, which Høiby was supposed to commit while she slept.
“I couldn’t believe it. I couldn’t believe Marius would do such a thing to me. It’s a betrayal and a shock. Look at my face: do I look conscious? It’s clear I’m completely unconscious. It almost looks like I’m not even breathing.” added the victim.
Høiby perceived all acts as completely normal and consensual sexual relations. The Royal Palace confirmed on Wednesday that the crown prince the princess postponed a planned private trip abroad. Neither she nor Crown Prince Haakon are taking part in the seven-week trial. According to experts, this is the biggest scandal in the history of the Norwegian monarchy.
