Marius Borg Hoiby became emotional on the 14th day of a seven-week trial when his mother, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, and stepfather, Crown Prince Haakon, were referenced.
Marius faces 38 charges, including four counts of rape and the domestic abuse of a former partner. He denies the most serious charges against him, but if he is convicted, the son of the Norwegian royal could face up to ten years in prison. The 29-year-old has pleaded guilty to transporting marijuana, violating a restraining order and violating the Road Traffic Act.
On Tuesday, one of Marius' ex-partners, influencer Nora Haukland, testified about their relationship, which lasted for a year between 2022 and 2023. She stated that their relationship was characterised by violence, manipulation, and "love bombing".
Nora also claimed that she had told Haakon and Mette-Marit about their relationship following its conclusion, suggesting that they put Marius in "rehab". She was alleged to have been told in response: "This is not your responsibility."
When Marius testified on Wednesday, VG reports that he became emotional over Mette-Marit and Haakon being brought up. "The way she tries to throw them under the bus, obviously for her own attention, " he claimed. "I can't understand it. They haven't done anything other than be nice and try to help me. I was angry and frustrated."
He continued: "That whole story about our relationship, which is absurd to listen to, she's going to [expletive] me and involve my parents too. I don't know anyone who has ever worked harder for me to be okay. Jesus Christ, sorry."
© AlamyAt this point, Marius became emotional, and the judge allowed him to take a short break to recompose himself. Afterwards, Marius added: "Justice must be done, mum and Haakon have done nothing but be the kindest people in the world. Both to Nora and me. The way she describes them here – I get so angry. I really have no words."
Secret child
On Wednesday, VG reported that it was claimed in court last Friday that Marius had secretly fathered a son. The claims had previously been omitted from the trial coverage as the Norwegian media was unclear on whether they could be reported.
The courtroom heard how Marius had allegedly approached a woman at a party held in a hotel in Oslo. Marius was alleged to have spoken about his paternity and brought up having a son, showing a picture of the boy to the woman.
© ShutterstockA friend of the woman, who claims to have been raped by Marius, told the court in an open session: "He told her things about how he had had a difficult childhood and told her about his child and showed her pictures of it, and things that gave her confidence."
VG has reached out to the Norwegian Palace about the matter, but they have refused to comment as it happened during an active criminal case.
It remains unclear as to whether Marius has fathered a child. Marius' lawyers said after the testimony: "This information is unknown to us, and we wish to caution against the dissemination of such rumours." His legal adviser, Lise Legaard, added: "We have no comment on this beyond what was said in court." The trial continues.
