Norwegian Crown Princess's Son Faces Trial Amid Epstein Email Revelations

Marius Borg Høiby, the 29-year-old son of Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit, is set to begin trial in Oslo District Court on Tuesday, facing 38 charges including four counts of rape, domestic abuse, and drug-related offenses. The trial is expected to last seven weeks.

Defense attorney Petar Sekulic stated that Høiby "denies all charges of sexual abuse, as well as the majority of the charges regarding violence," and intends to present his version of events in court.

Høiby, who does not hold a royal title or official duties, was arrested on Sunday evening on new allegations of assault, making threats with a knife, and violating a restraining order. Police have requested his detention for up to four weeks to prevent potential reoffending.

In a separate development, newly released emails from the U.S. Justice Department have brought renewed attention to Crown Princess Mette-Marit's past association with Jeffrey Epstein. The emails, dated between 2011 and 2012, suggest a closer relationship than previously acknowledged. In one exchange, Epstein mentioned a "wife-hunting" trip to France, to which Mette-Marit reportedly responded that Scandinavian women make better wives.

The Norwegian royal family has stated that Høiby is not a member of the royal household and emphasized that the matter is proceeding through the legal system according to standard procedures.