Norwegian crown princess' son arrested before trial on rape charges

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The son of Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit, Marius Borg Høiby, 29, has been arrested just before his trial on rape and other charges opens.

Tomorrow, he is due to face a seven week trial after he was handed 38 charges. Høiby has been accused of raping four women, threatening a girlfriend, damaging a girlfriend's flat, drugs charges and driving offences. The 29-year-old could face more than 10 years in prison if he is found guilty.

Høiby's joined the Norwegian royals after him mum married the heir to the throne, Crown Prince Haakon, when he was just four years old. Despite this, the palace has stressed the 29-year-old is not a public figure and not part of the royal family.

His trial is set to begin in Oslo on Tuesday and is expected to run until mid-March. Despite the lengthy trial, Hoiby will be in court alone, as his mother and stepfather, Crown Prince Haakon, have confirmed that they will not be present for the legal proceedings.

In a statement last week confirming they will not be in court, the Crown Prince also said the Norwegian Royal Family does not wish to comment on the trial and that official duties will continue.