Marius Borg Høiby no longer has bars on his windows, but an electronic ankle bracelet and a private pool. Sentenced to four years in prison for two rape cases and for mistreatment of one of his former girlfriends, among other offenses, the eldest son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway now lives under house arrest at the royal estate of Skaugum. A very comfortable life that scandalizes the press and the public of the Scandinavian country.
After spending more than five months in preventive detention in Oslo, the 29-year-old obtained in mid-July the right to leave his cell to serve his house arrest under electronic surveillance in Skaugum. This regime, reserved for only fourteen inmates across the country, has caused particular indignation, since one of the rapes for which he was convicted occurred precisely in the basement of this residence during a party.
The high-profile trial of Marius Borg began on February 3 after he was arrested for threatening his partner with a knife, before being placed in preventive detention. On July 13, the court accepted that he could leave his cell to settle at Skaugum. In its ruling, it specifies that the accused must remain in his home and that he is subjected to 24-hour surveillance.
To approve this measure, both Princes Haakon and Mette-Marit as well as the staff of the royal property’s had to sign a consent guaranteeing that the palace surroundings were a controlled space. Marius Borg has on Skaugum strict movement restrictions, daily checks and an outright prohibition on the consumption of narcotics.
Skaugum: Marius Borg’s Golden Cage
The Skaugum estate, in Asker, near the Norwegian capital, spans 98 hectares and houses the residence of the heirs to the throne. Marius Borg occupies a small cabin there and can move around the estate to visit his mother. Mette-Marit, who has just undergone a successful lung transplant, was discharged from the hospital on the same day that her son began his house arrest.
Marius Borg is the eldest son of Princess Mette-Marit.
According to the Norwegian press, the young man can browse the Internet, order food delivery and enjoy the estate’s private pool, provided he stays away from alcohol and drugs. Marius Borg has previously acknowledged his cocaine addiction, but during his trial he stated he was “totally detoxified for a long time.” Nevertheless, and to ensure his good faith, the prison administration plans to appear at Skaugum unannounced at least twice a month to carry out toxicology checks.
According to the Norwegian outlet Se og Hør, although Marius is not allowed to leave Skaugum, he can indeed receive visits. Known for his fondness for parties, the young man would have invited several acquaintances to barbecues in the estate’s gardens. During these gatherings, his probation forbids alcohol consumption. A glass of wine or a can of beer would land him back in prison.
More Pressure on the Norwegian Monarchy
Despite this apparent willingness to redeem himself, some members of the royal family do not seem willing to forgive the crimes of Marius Borg. According to the aforementioned Norwegian outlet, the young man had been kept away from Crown Prince Haakon’s birthday, celebrated on July 20 at the royal estate Skaugum.
The four-year prison sentence for Marius Borg, which has been appealed by his defense arguing that his guilt in those assaults has not been adequately proven, has dealt another blow to the Norwegian monarchy. The institution is undergoing the worst reputation crisis of its recent history due to the scandals involving Princess Märtha Louise and the shaman Durek Verrett and Mette-Marit’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
