The trial of the son of the Norwegian princess has begun

The son of Norway's Crown Princess, Marius Borg Høiby, appeared in court in Oslo, where on the first day of the trial he denied charges of rape and domestic violence but admitted to several less serious offenses.

He faces a total of 38 charges and could face several years in prison if found guilty on the most serious counts. According to the prosecution, this is one of the most serious cases to affect the Norwegian royal family in peacetime.

Support for the monarchy in Norway is declining significantly, as confirmed by the latest opinion polls. The situation was further exacerbated by the recent apology of his mother, Mette-Marit, for her contacts with Jeffrey Epstein after his conviction.

The prosecution emphasizes that Høiby will not have any advantages or disadvantages for his family background, while the defense speaks of a media lynching. Crown Prince Haakon expressed sympathy for the alleged victims and confirmed that the family would not attend the trial.

(reuters, pir)