The trial of Marius Borg Høiby takes a sinister turn as the first witness details a night of lost memory, betrayal, and alleged predation in the palace shadows.

The pristine image of the Norwegian Royal Family is unraveling in a dimly lit courtroom in Oslo, where a woman has testified that she suspects she was drugged by Marius Borg Høiby, the son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit.

In a testimony that stunned the gallery, the first witness in the high-profile rape trial described a "blackout" following a brief encounter with the 29-year-old at an after-party. Her account has transformed what was already a scandal into a crisis for the monarchy, painting a disturbing picture of privilege, excess, and alleged abuse hidden behind the palace gates.

A Night of "Betrayal and Shock"

The woman, whose identity is protected, told the court she had "no recollection" of the events that followed consensual sex with Høiby. It was only later, when police showed her videos allegedly filmed by the defendant himself, that the horror of the night became clear. "I felt a sense of betrayal and shock," she whispered, describing the violation of seeing herself in a vulnerable state she did not remember.

Høiby, the step-son of the heir to the throne, appeared in court shaking and visibly unwell. He has denied the four counts of rape but admitted to lesser charges of violence and drug possession. His defense hangs on the claim of consensus, but the "drugging" allegation introduces a predatory element that could destroy any lingering public sympathy.

• The Epstein Shadow: The trial coincides with a separate storm engulfing his mother, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, over her past meetings with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The dual scandals have placed the Royal House under unprecedented siege.
• The Palace Retreat: In a sign of the severity of the crisis, the Crown Princess has cancelled all private trips and official engagements, retreating behind the palace walls as her son faces a potential 16-year prison sentence.

The Fall of a "Prince"

Marius Borg Høiby was never a prince by title, but he lived the life of one. Now, he stands accused of being a predator who used his status to exploit women. The videos, the drugs, and the memory lapses described in court read like a dark noir thriller, but for the victims, the trauma is real.

As the trial continues behind closed doors, the Norwegian public is left grappling with a shattering realization: the fairytale is over, and the monsters might be living in the castle.