Fame Under Fire (BBC Sounds): The Trial of Marius Borg Høiby

Episode Date: March 19, 2026

Host: Anushka Mutanda-Dougherty
Guest: Lars Bivanga, Norwegian freelance journalist

Episode Overview

This episode examines the trial of Marius Borg Høiby, son of Norwegian Crown Princess Mette-Marit, who faces 39 criminal charges including rape and sexual assault. With public fascination heightened by royal ties, the case is also notable for its complex evidence—such as digital footage, wearable device data, and disputed testimony—and for its intersection with wider scandals involving the Norwegian royal family and Jeffrey Epstein. Anushka Mutanda-Dougherty is joined by Lars Bivanga, who has covered the trial daily, to unpack the charges, defense strategies, and implications.

Key Discussion Points

1. Background and Charges

• Who is Marius Borg Høiby?
  • Son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit, not in line for the throne but lived within the royal family, attended events, and is very much in the public eye. [00:39]
• Nature of Charges:
  • 39 offenses, including four counts of rape and violence in relationships, with alleged victims being both party contacts and long-term partners. [02:16]
• Contextual Scandal:
  • Connection to ongoing Epstein revelations involving Marius’s mother, the Crown Princess. [00:39 and 21:33]
• Restraining Order Incident:
  • Arrested the day before trial for violating a restraining order related to an ex-girlfriend. [04:17]

2. Details of the Case

• Admissions and Denials:
  • Marius admits to lesser offenses (drug-related, some violence), but denies all serious sexual assault allegations.

    "He's admitted to some lesser offences concerning drugs... but none of the more serious allegations of him hitting her or anything like that." — Lars Bivanga [03:21]

• Investigation Timeline:
  • Began after reports from a long-term girlfriend. [03:44]
• Discovery of Evidence:
  • Key evidence includes videos Marius filmed during alleged assaults; victims only learned of potential crimes when police showed them footage. [05:54]

  • "She had no idea what they were going to talk to her about until they showed her a film of herself, apparently asleep, being sexually assaulted by Marius." — Lars Bivanga [05:54]

3. Victims’ Testimony and the Challenge of Proof

• Nature of Assaults:
  • All four alleged sexual assault victims say incidents happened while they were asleep—unaware until shown video evidence. [05:54]
  • Many acts began with consensual sex but continued after the victim was incapacitated or asleep. [07:30]
• Challenges Under Norwegian Law:
  • It must be proven, beyond reasonable doubt, that the defendant knew or should have known the victim was asleep. [09:37]

  • "The burden of proof is very, very heavy when it comes to proving guilt in a rape case. So it is not enough… to prove that someone was sleeping… if the defendant absolutely is adamant that they were awake..." — Lars Bivanga [09:37]

• Expert and Tech Evidence:
  • Sleep expert testimony and smartwatch data were used to argue victim was asleep; the defense counters that such data is inconclusive. [11:42]
  • Use of a vault app to lock intimate footage raised circumstantial suspicion, but not conclusive proof. [12:24]

4. Coercive Relationship Allegations

• Public Testimony by Ex-Partner:
  • Nora Haukland, a public Norwegian influencer and former partner, accused Marius of coercion and physical violence, describing control over her professional life and episodes of physical abuse. [13:04]

  • "She claimed that he'd had a stranglehold of her on several occasions. He had hit her. He was extremely jealous."

• Courtroom Drama:
  • Emotional testimonies, audio recordings of arguments, and influencer witnesses turned court proceedings into a media spectacle. [15:53 & 17:03]

  • "It became very, very real for a moment... it was no longer word against word." — Lars Bivanga [15:53]

5. Defense Strategy and Courtroom Behavior

• Marius’s Testimony:
  • Denies all non-consensual acts and claims party culture and mutual violence; emotional when discussing family and upbringing in the royal spotlight. [17:47 & 19:04]

  • "He's also been emotional himself, especially when he talks about his family… said that they've been extremely supportive and, as he put it, the best parents in the world." — Lars Bivanga [19:04]

• Court Demeanor:
  • Judge reprimanded Marius for making eye contact with a witness under a restraining order, considering it possible witness intimidation. [19:04]
• Trial Format:
  • No jury; instead, a judge and two lay judges will decide the verdict. [23:59]

6. Epstein Scandal & Royal Connections

• Princess Mette-Marit’s Involvement:
  • Email correspondence with Jeffrey Epstein (including after his conviction) has led to significant scrutiny and calls for a fuller public explanation. [21:33]

  • "She's said it was a friendship, but it was nothing more than that, of course. But... she's proven to have not told the full truth." — Lars Bivanga [21:33]

  • Princess is currently absent from public view due to severe illness. [21:33]
• Official Apology:
  • Mette-Marit issues a public apology but public and media remain unsatisfied. [22:55]

7. Closing Arguments and Next Steps

• Prosecution’s Case:
  • Called for conviction on all 39 counts, seeking a sentence of seven years and seven months (less than the 16-year possible maximum). [24:40]

  • "They asked for him to be found guilty in all 39 charges... a jail sentence of seven years and seven months." — Lars Bivanga [24:40]

• Awaiting Verdict:
  • With 7 weeks of evidence, the three judges will deliberate and announce a verdict at a later date. Marius may remain in custody in the meantime. [25:05]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Video Evidence:

  “She had no idea what they were going to talk to her about until they showed her a film of herself, apparently asleep, being sexually assaulted by Marius... she was extremely upset and surprised.” — Lars Bivanga [05:54]

• On Burden of Proof:

  “It's not enough... to prove that someone was sleeping or claim that they were sleeping, if the defendant absolutely is adamant that they were awake...” — Lars Bivanga [09:37]

• On Defense and Family Ties:

  “He’s also been emotional himself, especially when he talks about his family... said that they've been extremely supportive and, as he put it, the best parents in the world.” — Lars Bivanga [19:04]

• On Scandals Colliding:

  “We've had kind of two scandals playing out in Norway at the same time. Like you say, they're waiting for a response from her [Crown Princess Mette-Marit].” — Anushka Mutanda-Dougherty [22:55]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:16] — Detailed breakdown of the charges
• [03:21] — Admissions and denials by Marius
• [05:54] — Victims’ realization and video evidence
• [09:37] — Legal burden of proof discussion
• [11:42] — Technical data and sleep expert testimony
• [13:04] — Testimony from high-profile ex-girlfriend
• [15:53] — Courtroom audio recording moment
• [17:47] — Marius's defense and attitude in court
• [19:04] — Marius reprimanded over witness interaction
• [21:33] — Princess Mette-Marit and Epstein connections
• [23:59] — Norwegian legal process (no jury)
• [24:40] — Prosecution's closing arguments and sentence recommendation

Episode Takeaways

• High-profile cases involving royalty bring extra scrutiny and complications, particularly when digital evidence and overlapping scandals are present.
• The standard of proof in Norwegian sexual assault cases is especially stringent—requiring proof that the accused knew or must have known the victim was incapacitated.
• Parallel scandals, such as the Epstein revelations, cast additional shadows on already fraught proceedings.
• No verdict yet—public and media remain intensely focused on both the outcome and implications for the Norwegian royal family.

For listeners seeking a revealing, fact-checked account of a case where fame, power, and public trust intertwine with sensitive and complex legal questions, this episode delivers a balanced yet gripping chronicle straight from inside the seven-week court battle.