Norway sexual assault allegations against Marius Høiby have placed a private citizen at the center of a national reckoning. The woman who filed the initial police report testified in Oslo District Court, describing feelings of isolation and the added weight of reporting someone connected to the royal family.
A Lonely First Step
"I was the first one to report him for this, so at the beginning it was very lonely," she said from the witness stand on Friday. Her testimony continued from the previous afternoon, when she described explicit videos found by police on Høiby’s phone—videos showing her unconscious or semi-conscious in bed without a blanket. "I’m lying there like slaughtered meat, in a way," she said. "I never consented to that."
The emotional toll has been heavy. "It’s been tough. It’s been very difficult," she admitted. She also spoke about the uncertainty she felt when deciding to come forward. "I didn’t really understand what I was up against, or what consequences this could have for me," she said. Then came the key line that has since drawn public attention: "What does it mean for me as a private person to report someone in the royal family for this? It costs a bit more, then, to stand by this—because he is who he is."
The Night Everything Changed
The events in question began during Easter 2024, after Høiby attended a nightclub called Michaels on Oslo’s west side. According to separate charges, he allegedly overturned furniture and ripped off his T-shirt there. Later that night, he met the woman at an after-party—a "nachspiel"—where alcohol was served and several people, including Høiby, reportedly used cocaine. The woman acknowledged she had taken sleeping medication that evening.
She invited Høiby back to her apartment. "I only remember that we came into the room, we went downstairs, and I was struggling to speak," she told the prosecutor when asked about her level of intoxication. She described having consensual sex that night but emphasized she was "quite drunk" and remembers the encounter only in fragments. "I remember it very poorly. I remember it more like flashes," she said.
Curiosity and Consequences
Under questioning by Høiby’s defense lawyer, Petar Sekulic, the woman confirmed that Høiby’s royal connection played a role in her interest. "I was curious about him. He comes from a mysterious family—the royal family is kind of secretive," she said. "I was curious about what it’s like growing up inside that. I actually think that’s pretty natural."
Sekulic pressed further: "If he hadn’t been who he was—if he hadn’t been the son of the Crown Princess—would you have let him come home with you?" She replied, "Not necessarily. My curiosity about him probably played a part, but above all, we had a very nice evening."
Her testimony underscores a complex mix of personal agency, intoxication, and the psychological impact of being recorded without consent. Prosecutors have focused on five videos discovered on Høiby’s encrypted phone app, which they argue depict non-consensual acts. The defense has not yet presented its full case, but the trial has already sparked widespread debate about power, privilege, and accountability in Norway.
The Weight of Reporting Royalty
What makes this case unusual isn’t just the nature of the alleged crime—it’s the identity of the accused. Marius Høiby is the son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit, making him the step-grandson of King Harald V. Though he holds no official royal duties, his family ties place him in the public eye. For an ordinary citizen to accuse him of sexual misconduct carries social and emotional risks beyond those in typical cases.
The woman’s acknowledgment that "it costs a bit more" to pursue justice against someone with royal connections has resonated across Norwegian media and social platforms. It speaks to a broader concern: whether fame or status can shield individuals from consequences. Her willingness to testify, despite the isolation and scrutiny, has drawn both support and criticism—but mostly, it has forced a national conversation about consent, privacy, and equality before the law.
What Comes Next
The trial continues in Oslo District Court, with more witnesses expected to testify. Høiby faces multiple charges, including drug use, disorderly conduct at the nightclub, and the central allegation of recording intimate images without consent. If convicted, he could face prison time, though sentencing would depend on the severity of each charge and judicial discretion.
Meanwhile, the woman remains anonymous under Norwegian law, but her voice has become central to the proceedings. Her fragmented memories, her admission of substance use, and her clear statement that she never agreed to be filmed have formed the backbone of the prosecution’s narrative. She did not seek publicity, but her actions have placed her at the heart of one of Norway’s most closely watched legal cases in recent years.
As Norwegians follow the trial, many are left wondering: does justice truly apply equally when royalty is involved? Or does the system bend—even slightly—when the accused carries a famous name? The courtroom may deliver a verdict, but the cultural questions linger far beyond the judge’s final ruling.