\n Norway\u2019s usually private royal family is under intense public scrutiny this week as the rape trial<\/a> of the crown prince\u2019s stepson begins days after a tranche of newly released Epstein files appear to link the crown princess to the late sex offender.\n <\/p>\n \n Marius Borg H\u00f8iby<\/a>, 29, appeared at Oslo District Court Tuesday for the start of a trial expected to last seven weeks, in what experts say is an unprecedented moment for a royal family<\/a> known for its projection of stability. He denied the allegations of rape.\n <\/p>\n \n He has been charged with 38 counts, including rape and repeated abuse of his former partner. The alleged violence includes repeatedly striking his girlfriend in the face, choking her, making threats and destroying her property, according to indictment documents seen by celebrity.land.\n <\/p>\n \n The charges also include six counts of non-consensual sexual filming or photography, as well as drug related and driving offenses, documents show. If convicted, H\u00f8iby could face more than 10 years in prison, according to Norway\u2019s public broadcaster NRK.\n <\/p>\n \n In the courtroom, H\u00f8iby pleaded not guilty to four counts of rape, NRK reported, adding the crown princess\u2019 son spoke quietly and wore a brown sweater, beige trousers and glasses. He also denied filming women without their knowledge and for abuse in close relationships.\n <\/p>\n \n H\u00f8iby, the stepson of Norway\u2019s Crown Prince Haakon, is outside Norway\u2019s line of royal succession because he was born before his mother, Mette-Marit, married Haakon and became a princess in 2001.\n <\/p>\n \n Defense attorney Petar Sekulic said late last year in response to the indictment that H\u00f8iby \u201cdenies all charges of sexual abuse, as well as the majority of the charges regarding violence.\u201d H\u00f8iby will \u201cpresent a detailed account of his version of events before the court,\u201d Sekulic added.\n <\/p>\n \n On Tuesday, H\u00f8iby admitted culpability for bodily harm and partially admitted culpability for the charge of gross bodily harm, as well as other drug and driving offences, NRK said.\n <\/p>\n \n H\u00f8iby is due to testify on Wednesday. celebrity.land has contacted his lawyer for further comment.\n <\/p>\n \n The trial follows the latest release on Friday of more Jeffrey Epstein files by the US Justice Department, which include scores of emails between Epstein and Crown Princess Mette-Marit.\n <\/p>\n \n Ahead of his trial, H\u00f8iby was arrested on further charges Sunday evening including making threats involving a knife and breaching a restraining order, police prosecutor Andreas Kruszewski said Monday. celebrity.land has approached H\u00f8iby\u2019s lawyers for comment on the most recent charges.\n <\/p>\n \n While shocked by the allegations, Norwegians will be following the trial mostly out of concern for the broader family, which is generally well-liked and led by the popular \u201cgrandfather figure\u201d of King Harald<\/a>, royal experts say. Harald has been king of Norway since 1991 and is Europe\u2019s oldest monarch.\n <\/p>\n \n \u201cMost people understand that (H\u00f8iby) is not a working royal and that the case is a personal and legal matter, not an institutional one,\u201d Tove Taalesen, a royal correspondent for news outlet Nettavisen<\/a>, told celebrity.land ahead of the trial.\n <\/p>\n \n In a long-planned vote, Norway\u2019s parliament voted overwhelmingly in favour of maintaining the country\u2019s monarchy Tuesday, demonstrating support for the royal clan despite the ongoing media storm.\n <\/p>\n \n Taalesen, who worked for more than a decade at the country\u2019s royal palace, said the crown prince\u2019s handling of the case has been widely interpreted in Norway \u201cas deliberate and strategic.\u201d\n <\/p>\n \n \u201cBy expressing love for Marius while simultaneously stepping back from the legal process and public commentary, he has set clear boundaries. This has likely helped limit broader reputational damage,\u201d she said.\n <\/p>\n \n One such boundary: neither Haakon nor the crown princess are intending to be present in the courtroom, according to the royal house \u2013 a clear sign of the family\u2019s efforts to distance themselves publicly from the case.\n <\/p>\n \n Haakon last week issued a rare statement asserting that H\u00f8iby is \u201cnot a member of the Royal House of Norway and is therefore autonomous.\u201d\n <\/p>\n \n \u201cWe 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 \u2013 as well as the same rights,\u201d Haakon said.\n <\/p>\n \n The family will continue their official duties as normal and will not comment on the court proceedings as the trial continues, Haakon added.\n <\/p>\n \n The brewing scandal began in 2024 after H\u00f8iby was arrested on suspicion of rape<\/a> of a woman in her 20s \u2013 an allegation he denied at the time via his lawyer. Just days later, he was accused of a second rape<\/a>. His lawyer said he also denied that allegation.\n <\/p>\n \n Adding insult to injury, the trial comes as fresh scrutiny mounts over Mette-Marit\u2019s past association with Epstein, which she has since expressed regret and embarrassment over.\n <\/p>\n![\"Marius](\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2165187213-20260202144243139.jpg?c=original&q=w_860,c_fill\")
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