Norwegian appeals court grants retrial to Marius Borg Høiby after four-year prison sentence

Appeals court decision

The Borgarting Court of Appeal in Oslo decided on Thursday, 10 September 2026, to hear the appeal of Marius Borg Høiby against his criminal conviction. The 29-year-old, the eldest son of Queen Mette-Marit and stepson of King Haakon, challenged the four-year prison term handed down to him in June. Judicial officials confirmed that procedural work on the case is underway, though a formal hearing schedule remains unannounced.

“The court of appeal will immediately begin preparations for the procedure.”

Defence lawyer Petar Sekulic told public broadcaster NRK that the defence had anticipated the court's decision to review the verdict and welcomed the ruling. The appellate proceedings are expected to take place in 2027.

Underlying conviction and charges

In mid-June 2026, a court sentenced Høiby to four years of imprisonment after finding him guilty of two counts of non-penetrative rape from 2018 and 2024, domestic violence against a former girlfriend, threats, traffic violations, and drug transport. Prosecutors had filed a total of 40 criminal charges against him, encompassing 32 separate offences alongside the sexual assault allegations. The court acquitted Høiby of two additional rape charges due to insufficient evidence. Høiby had admitted to minor offences during the initial trial while contesting the most severe charges, including the rape allegations and the abuse of his ex-partner.

Conditions of house arrest

Høiby has been in custody since February 2026, following his initial arrest in August 2024. A court extended his pre-trial detention by four weeks earlier in the week due to police assessments regarding the risk of further offences. After an initial period in prison, authorities transferred Høiby to house arrest under electronic monitoring at the royal estate of Skaugum, where his mother and stepfather reside.

Under the terms of his electronic monitoring, Høiby is permitted to visit the residence of Queen Mette-Marit and King Haakon for three hours per day. Authorities have barred outside visitors to eliminate the risk of contact with his former girlfriend. Earlier legal requests by Høiby for release on bail, including an appeal citing health conditions related to his mother's incurable pulmonary fibrosis diagnosed in 2018, were rejected in the second instance.

Royal funeral and public response

The approval of the appeal follows the funeral of King Harald V on Wednesday, 9 September 2026. Høiby received specific judicial exemptions from his house arrest to visit Harald V in the hospital prior to his death in late August and to attend the state burial service. Høiby served as a pallbearer during the funeral procession, carrying the monarch's coffin alongside King Haakon and other immediate royal family members. His prominent role in the official ceremony generated domestic criticism in Norway regarding the granting of detention exemptions to a convicted offender during state events.