The story that shook the Norwegian royal house takes an unexpected turn. Marius Borg, the 29-year-old son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit - born before her marriage to Prince Haakon - was sentenced on June 15, 2026 to four years in prison. The court found him guilty of two rapes and acquitted him on two more charges, out of over 30 counts in total in the indictment. And here begins the part few expected.

The prosecution decided not to appeal the two acquittals, even though it had previously been considering it. "We have concluded that we will not file an appeal before the Court of Appeal," the prosecuting authority announced. On paper it looks like a formality. In practice, it opens a door through which the convicted man could walk free.

The reason lies in Norwegian procedural law. Under the law, a convicted person can be held in custody for at most four weeks after sentencing - unless the court extends the detention. Borg's current detention expires on July 13, 2026. If the prosecution doesn't request an extension and the court issues no new order, he simply walks out. The sentence also provides for electronic monitoring at home as a long-term alternative to the prison term.

His lawyers make no secret of where this is heading. Ellen Holager Andenæs has repeatedly requested his release, and her colleague Renee Ibsen confirmed that "Marius naturally hopes for freedom before July 13." In other words, a man convicted of two rapes could serve his sentence at home, with an ankle bracelet.

And here's the question everyone on the Balkans knows well: does the law apply equally to everyone, or does it depend on whose surname stands behind the accused? Norway has boasted for decades of a system where status buys no discount before justice. This case, with the son of a future queen in the lead role, will be exactly the test of whether that story holds up when the pressure comes from the very top.