Disgraced son of Norway's new queen granted temporary release from house arrest to attend King Harald V's funeral
Quick Look
- Marius Borg Høiby, the 29-year-old son of Norway's Queen Mette-Marit, has been granted temporary release from house arrest to attend the state funeral of King Harald V despite a recent rape conviction.
- Høiby, who is serving a four-year sentence under house arrest for two rape convictions and 30 additional charges including domestic violence, was granted leave by prosecutors to attend the funeral service on September 9 and participate in the procession transferring the king's remains to the palace chapel.
- The decision comes as Norway observes a national period of mourning following the king's death at age 89 from complications related to hemolytic anemia.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Marius Borg Høiby was convicted of two counts of rape and 30 additional charges including domestic violence, and is currently serving a four-year sentence under house arrest. King Harald V died at age 89 from complications related to hemolytic anemia, prompting a national period of mourning in Norway. The royal family has faced scrutiny over Queen Mette-Marit's past association with Jeffrey Epstein and her son's criminal convictions.
The disgraced son of Norway’s new queen will be allowed to leave house arrest despite a recent rape conviction to attend the state funeral of King Harald V.
Marius Borg Høiby is currently serving a four-year prison sentence under house arrest after being found guilty on two counts of rape.
"The public prosecutor deemed that there were grounds to grant the requests for leave submitted by Høiby in connection with the death," police prosecutor Oda Karterud told AFP.
The decision grants the 29-year-old temporary release to attend the funeral service on 9 September.
Høiby, who was born from a relationship prior to Queen Mette-Marit’s marriage to the new King Haakon VIII, was convicted of 30 additional charges alongside the two rapes, including domestic violence toward a former partner.
He has since appealed against both, and was acquitted on two additional counts of rape during the original trial.
Under Norwegian legal procedure, filing an appeal against a court conviction suspends its final binding status pending a retrial.
Because of this, Høiby remains under custodial house arrest with an ankle monitor rather than serving time in prison.
He had pled guilty to several lesser charges including aggravated assault, reckless behaviour, and drug-related offences.
Høiby was previously granted special dispensation to visit King Harald in hospital prior to the late monarch's death on Friday at the age of 89.
The prosecutor confirmed that leave was also approved for Høiby to participate in Monday evening's procession, when the King's remains were transferred to the palace chapel.
The temporary release comes as Norway observes a national period of mourning following King Harald’s passing from complications related to hemolytic anemia.
Tens of thousands of citizens gathered outside the royal palace in Oslo over the weekend, leaving floral tributes, handwritten notes, and candles.
The state funeral will take place at 1pm at Oslo Cathedral, led by Olav Fykse Tveit, the presiding bishop of the Church of Norway.
King Haakon VIII took his formal oath to the constitution on Tuesday, inheriting a monarchy that is navigating mounting controversy.
The royal household has faced ongoing scrutiny over Queen Mette-Marit's friendship with late American financier Jeffrey Epstein, alongside her son's criminal convictions.
The release of the Department of Justice’s “Epstein files” in late 2025 revealed hundreds of email exchanges between the queen and the convicted sex-trafficker.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Public protests or demonstrations may occur during Marius Borg Høiby's temporary release for the funeral events
Possible · Within days
The appeal against Marius Borg Høiby's rape conviction may result in a retrial that could alter his legal status
Possible · Within weeks
Open Questions
- What specific conditions were placed on Marius Borg Høiby's temporary release?
- Will the appeal against his rape conviction delay or alter his sentence?
- How will the public react to seeing a convicted rapist participate in royal funeral proceedings?
- Are there plans to review the royal family's security protocols following this release?
