Each morning seems to bring a new shock involving Norway’s royal family. Following Queen Sonja’s recent hospital discharge and Crown Prince Haakon’s troubling comments about Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s rapidly declining health, Norwegian outlet Se og Hør has now published the first images of Marius Borg in months. In the photos, the son of Norway’s future queen is seen outside prison.
Why the photos of Marius Borg are causing Controversy
Dressed in a short-sleeved shirt and sunglasses on a sunny day, the images appear to show the son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit in a neighborhood in Oslo. The photos have attracted attention because, since February, he has been held in pretrial detention at the country’s largest prison.
© GTRESAfter exhausting three appeals at the district court, appeals court, and Supreme Court level, it became clear that he would not be allowed to serve the remainder of his detention at home before the verdict is delivered, which is expected on June 15.
The Context behind the “walk”: The guarded route between Oslo prison and Ryen courthouse
Interest in the photos has only grown given that, throughout the seven-week trial, the judge prohibited any photographs of Marius from being taken. However, a wider view of the scene shows that although he was not handcuffed, he was heavily escorted by armed police officers during what appears to have been a routine transfer from the prison to the courthouse in Ryen, a district of Oslo.
© GTRESWhy the images matter: First photos of the defendant in 3 months
Marius is seen carrying documents in his hand. As of now, it remains unclear why he was allowed out that day or where he was headed, details that may be clarified as the day progresses. What is known is that he remained under police custody at all times. Even so, the images carry significant news value, as they are the first photographs of the defendant since before the trial and after spending three months behind bars.
© Getty ImagesPretrial Isolation: What is it and why it’s applied
During earlier proceedings, Marius Borg spoke about the harsh conditions of prison and the effects of the isolation regime under which he is being held. The protocol is automatically applied, for security reasons, to anyone accused of rape. He also complained about the poor air quality inside the prison, which he said made frequent visits from a close family member impossible. At that point, the judge asked whether he was referring to his mother, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, who suffers from pulmonary fibrosis. The exchange sparked controversy, as there was no clear reason for that personal matter to be brought into the courtroom.
Regardless, the Oslo District Court rejected his request for a different detention arrangement, and both the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court upheld that decision. As a result, Marius Borg has exhausted all legal avenues and will not benefit from a detention program currently granted to only 12 inmates, most of whom are accused of financial crimes. That does not prevent such a request from being made again in the future if he is ultimately convicted.
© Getty ImagesThree appeals exhausted: District Court, Appeals Court, and Supreme CourtAt 8:30 a.m. on June 15, the Oslo District Court is expected to deliver its verdict in a case that involved more than a year of police investigation and seven weeks of trial proceedings.
Prosecutors have requested a sentence of seven years and seven months in prison after charging him with 40 offenses, including four counts of rape, abuse within an intimate relationship, multiple incidents of violence, disorderly conduct, property damage, and repeated violations of restraining orders involving two former partners. He is also accused of secretly recording the genitals of several women without their consent, in addition to making death threats, harassing police officers, and committing various traffic offenses.
On January 19, 2026, six additional charges were added to the original case: one serious violation of drug laws, two further breaches of restraining orders, and three counts of reckless motorcycle driving.
What Happens on June 15th: Questions about the verdict and possible outcomes for Marius Borg Høiby
The legal situation facing the son of Norway’s future queen consort worsened again on March 3, 2026, when prosecutors filed another formal indictment adding two more charges: reckless behavior and an additional violation of a restraining order.
© GTRESWith each new round of charges, the case has grown into one of the most complex criminal proceedings in Norway in recent years. It is also unprecedented from a media standpoint, as it is the first criminal case of this magnitude to directly affect the Norwegian royal family. The scope and seriousness of the allegations help explain why authorities have continued to hold Marius Borg Høiby in pretrial detention, citing both the risk of reoffending and the cumulative gravity of the charges against him.
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