Prosecutors in Oslo have requested a prison sentence of seven years and seven months for Marius Borg Høiby, the son of Norwegian Crown Princess Mette-Marit, in what has become one of Norway's most high-profile criminal trials. The 29-year-old, often referred to as the 'bonus prince,' faces 40 criminal charges including four counts of rape and domestic violence offenses. The trial has placed the Norwegian royal family under intense scrutiny and pressure, with Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit facing public attention over the case.
According to reports, around 200 journalists from around the world have been accredited to cover the proceedings, which are expected to continue through Thursday. The case has exposed aspects of Oslo's celebrity party scene and drawn commentary from criminal experts including TV2's Olav Rønneberg, who stated that anything less than prison time would be a major surprise. Prosecutors have presented evidence including videos and text messages allegedly showing Borg Høiby's treatment of women.
The trial has exposed what criminal commentator Olav Rønneberg described as an environment of open drug use and late-night partying in Oslo's celebrity circles.