Høiby's first arrest came after a violent incident in an apartment in Oslo in August 2024. When police arrived at the scene, his then-girlfriend, known in Norwegian media as the Frogner Woman, had sustained a concussion and visible head injuries. A knife was embedded in the wall and a crystal chandelier was toppled on the floor. Mirrors and a mobile phone were smashed.
In court on Wednesday, the ex-girlfriend told of the assault that preceded the arrest: how Høiby beat her so that she lost her hearing, pushed her and repeatedly choked her until she couldn't breathe.
"When I'm lying there, I think he has to let go. If he doesn't, I'll faint," she says, according to VG, describing Høiby as "manic" and "completely out of control."
"Gasoline can in hand"
Later, as she lay crying with her ears ringing after another beating, Høiby grabbed her by the hair and dragged her across the floor.
The next day, the Frogner woman's friend contacted the police. But before that, Høiby called and threatened to burn his girlfriend's things.
"I have a large can of gasoline and a lighter in my hand," the voice of the "bonus prince" is heard in the courtroom when the phone call is played back.
The audio playback makes the ex-girlfriend burst into tears, VG reports.
"I'm shocked when I hear it. I didn't remember it being that bad at all," she says.
Four rapes
The relationship with Høiby began with a lot of love and "lovebombing," says the Frogner woman. But that changed quickly. She describes a relationship characterized by physical and psychological violence, surveillance and manipulation.
In the end, you believe that this person is the only one you can get security from, even if it's the same person you're afraid of.
Marius Borg Høiby, son of Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit, is on trial for violence against the Frogner woman and for taking intimate photos of her without consent.
The 29-year-old is also charged, among other things, with raping four other women, charges he denies. He faces up to 16 years in prison.
