Witness recalls ‘lame’ party at Norway royal’s home

Two guests recall a glib, inconspicuous and “lame” party at which Marius Borg Hoiby allegedly sexually assaulted a woman and filmed her while she was asleep, according to Norwegian media reports.

Hoiby, the eldest son of Norwegian Crown Princess Mette-Marit, faces a total of 38 charges, including four counts of rape, classified under Norwegian law, in a case that has attracted huge international attention.

The 29-year-old denied the allegations of rape and serious sexual abuse but admitted other offenses including domestic violence, destruction of property, drug use and traffic violations.

In December 2018, several friends and acquaintances gathered at the home of Norway’s crown prince and princess after spending an evening in Oslo.

On the third day of the hearing in the Oslo district court, broadcaster NRK reported that one party guest said: “It was a normal after-party where we sat together and drank.”

He didn’t remember using any drugs or that some were more drunk than others: “Everyone was drunk but awake.”

According to the indictment, Hoiby is accused of having sexual intercourse with his finger on a sleeping woman during a party at the residence.

While the alleged victim told the court that he lost consciousness and could not remember the incident, Norwegian media quoted him as saying he believed someone might have given him something.

Hoiby is said to have replied: “To my knowledge I have never drugged anyone”.

At the beginning of the hearing, Hoiby said he only remembered consensual sex.

One of the guests told the court he remembered about eight to 10 people being present.

The group chatted and played spin the bottle; The woman said it was initiated by the alleged victim.

He added that no one acted unusually during the meeting, Verdens Gang newspaper reported.

Video recordings allegedly made by Hoiby himself and submitted as evidence are said to show the crime.

Investigators testified that Hoiby then transferred the recordings from his phone’s photo folder to a separate app, Verdens Gang reported.

“This is an app that needs to be downloaded,” a data expert told the court.

“It can be used to hide text and documents, as well as images and media files.”

Hoiby is also accused of trying to remotely delete content on his cell phone during the investigation.

The court also discussed Hoiby’s internet search history on Thursday.

Norwegian media reported that he searched for terms such as “rape” and his own name before being formally charged.

Hoiby told the court he read rumors accusing her of rape, which led to searches.

Norwegian media reported that he burst into tears several times while testifying about his search history and sexual preferences.

Hoiby’s lawyers repeatedly emphasized how exhausting the case was for their client.

He reportedly told the court on Thursday: “I’m incredibly tired today. I’ve been sitting in my cell a lot thinking.”

Just two days before the trial was due to begin, Hoiby was arrested and detained on Sunday evening on suspicion of physical assault, threatening someone with a knife and violating a restraining order.

Hoiby, Mette-Marit’s son from her pre-marital relationship with Crown Prince Haakon, is not an official member of the Norwegian royal family.

Haakon and Mette-Marit said they would not attend the hearing and did not want to comment on the matter.