A presenter who was allegedly ‘raped by the future King of Norway’s stepson while she was unconscious’ has broken down in tears as she hit out at Marius Borg Høiby’s ‘appalling’ behaviour.
The 28-year-old son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit was first arrested on August 4, and has since faced a string of charges including assault and two rapes – which he denies – and as well as being under investigation for three further sexual assaults among other charges.
Among those who has come forward is national media personality Linni Meister, who attended a ‘castle basement party’ of his, where the ‘attack’ is said to have taken place; with police reported to have a video clip.
The TV star, 39, reportedly did not remember the alleged assault and only became aware of it after she was informed by law enforcement officials. After the claims came out earlier this year, Linni stated the allegations were ‘true’ in a Snapchat statement.
She has now hit out at Borg Høiby’s ‘disrespect’ in a new podcast ‘Puppen og Lillemor’ with friend and co-host Mia Gundersen, 63.
As reported by Se og hor, Linni became emotional as she slammed the royal for ‘running away and going to party’ while ‘victims’ wait for justice.
‘He has no respect for himself or his family. Not even for us victims. It’s hurtful. What happened afterwards is almost worse for me,’ she said tearfully in an episode.
‘Instead of doing the right thing, he runs away and goes to a party. I am appalled by how things are being handled by the defendant. And why isn’t more happening? It pisses me off!
Among those who has come forward is national media personality Linni Meister (pictured), who attended a ‘castle basement party’ of his, where the ‘attack’ is said to have taken place; with police reported to have a video clip
‘If we are going to have a monarchy, we have to be able to trust it. He is not even in a place where he takes care of his health. He travels from country to country to party!’
Linni also admitted her heartbreak at the situation, considering she had felt Borg Høiby was a friend.
Even when the police had presented her with ‘evidence’ of her own assault, she said she initially wondered if it had been forged by AI (artificial intelligence).
‘Marius doesn’t take anything seriously,’ she added. ‘Everything is like a game to him.’
In a statement to the podcast, Borg Høiby’s new lawyer Ellen Holager Andenæs referred to an earlier statement made in light of Linni’s earlier Snapchat ‘confirmation’.
‘I am unfamiliar with statements on social media, and of course I have no desire to have opinions about what is said there,’ they said.
Linni also admitted her heartbreak at the situation, considering she had felt Borg Høiby was a friend
Borg Høiby, who is under investigation for multiple sexual assault cases and drug offences, had not commented on the allegations when they came out in February
‘I am concerned that Se og Hør really sees reason to refer to that type of statement and reminds me of my call to reflect on the total media pressure in this case.
‘I hope Se og Hør does not think of contacting me every time someone expresses themselves on social media. If so, I can only conclude that the bottom has not yet been reached.’
Borg Høiby, who is under investigation for multiple sexual assault cases and drug offences, had not commented on the allegations when they came out in February.
The assault is reported to have taken place in 2018 at a ‘party among friends’ in the basement of Skaugum Castle in 2018, when Borg Høiby was 21.
He dubbed these ‘Skaugum Festivals’ and reportedly criminal friends including members of motorcycle gangs.
After one of these parties, the home was burgled, when a motorcycle gang reportedly stole private items from the Norwegian Royal Family.
Items, including silverware, are alleged to have been taken and then attempted to be sold via an auction house.
The event is said to have gotten ‘completely out of hand’ and continued in the castle basement after Borg Høiby’s stepfather, Crown Prince Haakon, slept upstairs.
Linni has now hit out at Borg Høiby’s ‘disrespect’ in a new podcast ‘Puppen og Lillemor’ with friend and co-host Mia Gundersen, 63
Borg Høiby is not a royal – but the stepson of the future king of Norway. He was four when his mother married the future King Crown Prince Haakon of Norway. His half-sister is the future Queen of Norway.
It was during the party that Borg Høiby allegedly raped Linni while she was unconscious, local media reported.
Police became aware of the alleged crime after discovering three videos and more than 10 photos of the incident on Borg Høiby’s laptop, it was reported.
Linni was informed about the alleged assault at the Oslo Police Station, where she was shown the reportedly incriminating evidence.
After initial reports in Norwegian media, Linni took to her Snapchat to write: ‘I woke up to my phone falling to the floor, as it was being rung by the Norwegian and foreign press.
‘I understand that there are many who want to comment on the case Se og Hør is reporting today, but I will not comment on it, other than that it is true,’ she writes, and continues:
‘Mostly to protect myself and my family, and because I really feel for the person’s family. This has to end and we can’t have this anymore, or more victims, so I really hope the person gets serious help.’
John Christian Elden, Linni’s lawyer, told the magazine: ‘In a crime of this kind, this is highly unusual, and it is also rare that a suspect really benefits from it. But of course it is his right. He can refuse to testify.’
Prince Sverre Magnus, Crown Prince Haakon, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, Crown Princess Mette-Marit and Marius Borg Høiby pictured in 2019 in Oslo
Meanwhile, just weeks ago Borg Høiby was accused of rape by a fifth woman, which is alleged to have taken place after he was released from police custody for assaulting his girlfriend.
It was in March reported that another person had become ‘involved in the case’ and is said to have been questioned by police ‘several times,’ according to local outlet Aftenposten.
This brought forward a new case of ‘rape without intercourse’, which allegedly took place late last year – when Borg Høiby was already facing a series of assault charges.
‘I can confirm that I have been appointed as a legal aid lawyer for a woman in her 20s,’ lawyer John Christian Elden said. ‘Beyond that, I have no comment on the case.’
That same week, the royal was spotted stepping out in Copenhagen looking unrecognisable, dying his hair dark from white blonde and growing it out.
The son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit has also spent time at rehab centres in London since his arrest.
Høiby’s defense attorney Ellen Holager Andenæs said: ‘I have no knowledge of this and therefore have no comments to give.’
TV2 had also been told by sources that the alleged rape took place just four months ago – at a hotel in Oslo.
A woman in her 20s is said to have filed the report in February.
The Norwegian royal family was rocked by Høiby’s first arrest at the beginning of August. Pictured with his mother in 2016
As outlined by Afterposten, Borg Høiby is now facing allegations of two rapes without intercourse, charges of abusing three women, ‘threatening to kill a man, driving without a valid driver’s license, reckless behavior, multiple violations of a restraining order, damage, threats, and bodily harm’.
He has in past pleaded guilty to ‘reckless conduct, damage, threats, bodily harm and a death threat – but denies all other charges.
The Norwegian royal family was rocked by Borg Høiby’s first arrest at the beginning of August, after a woman – Rebecca Helberg Arntsen – was left in hospital with her injuries following an attack.
A week after his arrest, Borg Høiby admitted to the assault on Rebecca, whom he referred to as his ‘girlfriend’ (her lawyers have refuted this claim).
In a statement issued via his own lawyer, Borg Høiby said he suffers from ‘several mental disorders’ and has ‘struggled with substance abuse for a long time’, which he said he is resuming treatment for.
The statement read: ‘Last weekend something happened that should never have happened. I committed bodily harm and destroyed objects in an apartment in the intoxication of alcohol and cocaine after an argument.
‘I have several mental disorders which mean that throughout my upbringing and adult life, I have had, and still have, challenges. I have struggled with substance abuse for a long time, something I have been in treatment for in the past.
‘The drug use and my diagnoses do not excuse what happened in the apartment at Frogner on the night of Sunday last weekend. I want to be responsible for what I have done, and will explain myself truthfully to the police.
‘For me, the most important thing is to say sorry to my girlfriend. She deserved neither what happened that night, nor the extreme pressure from both the Norwegian and foreign press afterwards.’
Mette-Marit’s eldest son also apologised to his family for his actions that have ‘greatly affected you’.
