The Eldest Son of Norway's Crown Princess Appears in Court After Arrest on Rape Allegations.
Marius Borg Høiby, the eldest son of Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit, has made a court appearance following his arrest on allegations of rape. The 27-year-old contested a police request for preventive detention as authorities continue their investigation into the serious charges.
Arrest and Allegations
Borg Høiby was taken into custody on Monday after being suspected of engaging in sexual activity with an individual who was "unconscious or otherwise unable to resist the act." While the details of the case remain confidential, the allegations have sparked significant attention in Norway. The court proceedings were held behind closed doors, ensuring the privacy of those involved during the ongoing legal process.
Borg Høiby's attorney, Øyvind Bratlien, has vehemently denied the accusations, asserting that his client is innocent of the charges. However, the legal process is underway, and the investigation continues to gather details surrounding the allegations.
Previous Incident and Legal History
This marks the second time in just three months that Marius Borg Høiby has found himself in legal trouble. On August 4, he was briefly detained by law enforcement in connection to a disturbance in Oslo. During that incident, Borg Høiby was identified as a suspect in a physical assault involving a woman with whom he had previously been romantically involved.
Borg Høiby admitted to inflicting bodily harm on the woman, noting that he was under the influence of cocaine and alcohol at the time of the altercation. Additionally, he acknowledged causing damage to her apartment. He expressed regret for his actions and apologized for the incident.
Royal Background and Public Reaction
Marius Borg Høiby is the son of Princess Mette-Marit from a previous relationship, and he is the stepson of Crown Prince Haakon, the heir to the Norwegian throne. Despite his royal family connections, Borg Høiby does not hold a title and is not in the line of succession to the throne.
Crown Prince Haakon addressed the allegations in a recent statement to Norwegian television, emphasizing the seriousness of the charges. He expressed his concern for those affected by the case, saying: "These are serious allegations Marius now faces, and we are, of course, thinking of all those affected."
