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Marius Borg and his legal team respond to his 4-year prison sentence


Borg is appealing his sentence following his long trial


Marius Borg Høiby, denying any criminal responsibility, is accused of sexually assaulting a woman he met that same night. © HAKON MOSVOLD LARSEN
Maria LoretoSenior Writer
JUNE 25, 2026 3:23 PM EDT

Marius Borg appealed his prison sentence. He had until the end of the month, but the son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit took an early approach, appealing the four-year prison sentence he was charged with when he was found guilty on 34 of the 40 charges he faced at trial. These include two counts of rape, abuse against a former partner, assault, threats, three violations of restraining orders, and drug-related offenses.

Illustration of Marius Borg during the trial© GTRES
Marius Borg has been involved in one of Norway's most notorious trials

Borg filed his appeal on Wednesday afternoon with the Court of Appeals. The appeal specifically challenges the two rape convictions, along with the domestic violence conviction, and is expected to be referred to Borgarting, one of Norway's six regional courts of appeal, in Oslo, sometime next year.

What he's not appealing

What Borg isn't appealing is his pretrial detention, meaning that he'll remain behind bars until July 13, when prosecutors will decide whether to request an extension. When the 127-page verdict was read, Princess Mette-Marit's son asked to be released, but the Oslo District Court turned him down again. 

Marius Borg Høiby, denying any criminal responsibility, is accused of sexually assaulting a woman he met that same night. © HAKON MOSVOLD LARSEN
Borg has filed an appeal against his four year prison sentence

The three judges who sentenced him to four years in prison ruled that his continued detention was necessary and proportionate. Now, a week later, Borg"won't be appealing his detention," one of his attorneys, Petar Sekulic, told Aftenposten.

This marked the second time in a week he'd sought release, but the court determined there was a risk he could try to contact his ex-girlfriend if freed, and could commit further acts of violence against her. As a result, he's been ordered to stay away. Still, the possibility hasn't been ruled out that he could eventually be released under electronic monitoring.

His mother's lung transplant

Prince Haakon says Norwegian Royal Family is ready for Marius Borg Høiby's verdict on June 15© WireImage
Borg has been supported by his parents over the past year

Borg has been in custody since February 2, 2026, the day before his trial began, in a case considered the most closely watched of the century. 

Since then, he's requested release on three separate occasions, arguing that he wants to spend more time with his mother, Princess Mette-Marit, whose pulmonary fibrosis has worsened over the past year. She recently underwent a lung transplant and is in the midst of recovery. 

How did the Norwegian royal house react to the sentencing?

As investigations continue surrounding Princess Mette-Marit’s alleged links to the Epstein case, the possibility of Marius having a secret child adds another layer of complexity.          © LISE ASERUD
In the midst of his trial, his mother has been struggling with her health

The royal house stayed silent throughout the police investigation and the trial proceedings. After the verdict came down, King Harald's court still hasn't issued a statement, since Marius, despite being the son of the future queen consort, isn't actually a member of the royal family and has never held any official or representative role, even though he's a beloved member of the King's extended family. 

"No comment" was the Royal Palace's response after the verdict was announced, according to public broadcaster NRK.