Norway court to hear closing arguments in royal trial

Norwegian prosecutors are set to present their closing arguments in the trial of Marius Borg Høiby, son of Norwegian Crown Princess Mette-Marit, over charges of rape, drug offences and domestic violence.

The trial, which began in February in Oslo, has shocked Norway and drawn global media attention.

Høiby, 29, faces 40 charges, including four counts of rape under Norwegian law.

Prosecutors allege that he sexually abused several women, committing some of the most serious offences while the victims were asleep and filming them during the incidents.

The proceedings have included testimony from numerous witnesses and a review of more than 800 text messages and video recordings.

While the alleged victims testified in court, Høiby's mother and the royal family have largely stayed away from the proceedings.

Høiby has denied the sexual offence charges but admitted to some of the other allegations.

The trial of Crown Prince Haakon's stepson has sparked a major scandal, coinciding with scrutiny of Mette-Marit over her past association with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

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