Norwegian Appeals Court Keeps Crown Princess’ Son in Custody

A Norwegian appeals court in Oslo on Wednesday rejected a request to release Marius Borg Høiby, the son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit, from custody before a verdict in his rape trial. The ruling overturns a lower court decision on Monday that had ordered his release pending the verdict. Høiby, 29, will remain in custody until next Monday, when judges are due to deliver a decision on 40 criminal charges, including four counts of rape, which he denies.

The appeals court said the risk of reoffending remained “virtually unchanged” and pointed to what it described as an obvious risk of further contact with a woman involved in the case. The lower court had concluded the risk was marginal and said keeping him detained would be disproportionate.

Høiby’s lawyers had argued for his release citing his mother’s deteriorating health. Crown Princess Mette-Marit, 52, has advanced pulmonary fibrosis and was placed on a waiting list for a lung transplant last week, officials said.

Prosecutors are seeking a sentence of seven years and seven months. Høiby denies the most serious allegations and admits some lesser charges, including drug possession and traffic offences, according to the case summary.

Detention followed new allegations in February

Høiby has been in custody since early February, when he was detained ahead of trial over new allegations of assault and violating a restraining order. The restraining order required him not to go near an ex-girlfriend, the report said.

The case began after he was arrested at the woman’s flat in the Frogner area of Oslo in August 2024. Attempts by his lawyers to secure his release were unsuccessful until the district court ordered he be freed from custody on Monday, a decision the appeals court has now reversed.

In court filings, the appeals court said the specific concern was further contact with the woman referred to in proceedings as the “Frogner woman.”

Verdict expected next Monday

The trial, which lasted six weeks, is being heard by a panel of three judges. In addition to the four rape counts, judges are considering other accusations, including violence, threats and abusive behaviour within a relationship, which Høiby denies, according to the report.

The case has drawn significant public attention because of Høiby’s connection to Norway’s royal family, though he is not a formal member of it. The court’s verdict next Monday will determine whether he is convicted on any of the charges and, if so, what sentence is imposed.

The next key development will be the court’s decision and any immediate response from prosecutors and the defence on whether further appeals will be pursued.