Queen Mette-Marit’s Son Marius Borg Høiby to Face Retrial After Court Grants Appeal

A Norwegian appeals court has granted Marius Borg Høiby, the son of Queen Mette-Marit, a retrial in his criminal case, opening a new phase in a legal saga that has drawn intense attention to the royal family.

The court said Thursday that it would “immediately begin preparations for the proceedings,” but added that a date for the appeal hearing has not yet been set.

Høiby’s defense lawyer, Petar Sekulic, told Norwegian broadcaster NRK that he had expected the decision and was satisfied with it.

Høiby, 29, was sentenced in June to four years in prison on two counts of rape, domestic violence and a range of additional offenses. He appealed the convictions for the two rapes and the assault of a former girlfriend.

An appeal trial could take place next year. The case has been closely watched in Norway because of Høiby’s position as the son of Queen Mette-Marit, even though he holds no royal title or official duties. The retrial is likely to keep public attention on the royal household as it contends with the aftermath of King Harald V’s death.

Høiby is currently on remand, staying at Skaugum, the Norwegian royal family’s estate, with an electronic ankle tag. He has been granted leave on several occasions following the death of his step-grandfather, King Harald V, just under two weeks ago. He was also permitted to attend the monarch’s funeral on Wednesday.

The decision means the appeal process will move forward, though it remains unclear how quickly the case will return to court. For now, both sides are preparing for a retrial that could extend the proceedings well into next year.