Crown and Controversy - Kate Middleton

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has returned Norway’s Order of St. Olav, one of the country’s highest royal honours, according to the Norwegian Royal Palace. The palace confirmed only that he “has chosen to return his order,” offering no further explanation under confidentiality rules.

Meanwhile in Oslo, the trial of Marius Borg Høiby continues this week, with Nora Haukland expected to complete her testimony before Høiby gives his account on the charges relating to her.

At the same time, Norway’s Royal Palace has moved to shut down speculation that Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s health announcement was timed to blunt the impact of Epstein document releases.

While no one truly knows what happens behind closed palace doors, this series uses news sources, on-the-record quotes, and some artistic license to craft this entertainment series. Some moments have been dramatized for storytelling effect. AI narration was used in creation of this series.

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Father of victim testifies: "Anger. A lot of anger from me toward Marius Borg Høiby. I am a father, plain and simple. It is biology — we are born with a protective instinct." Daughter told him she met "the prince," then police showed her videos: "She was in shock." Hotel victim testimony: 27 videos recovered, "He would never finish. He wouldn't stop. I was afraid." Videos stored at Royal Palace address Slottsplassen 1.

Høiby activated Private Photo Vault subscription 2 hours after alleged assault. Høiby confirms filming 27 videos: "I simply like recording sexual encounters, watch material later instead of pornography." Claims woman was aware despite not asking permission. Sleep researcher: pulse data "compatible with her initially being asleep, unable to resist." Nora Haukland emotional testimony: choking, slapping, "black out." "I feel Marius has two faces. One very sweet and charming, one determined and angry." Video shows security guard saw choking. Høiby: "Yes, that's fine." Haukland: "I really wanted to save him. I feel very sorry for him."

Mette-Marit's German reputation "completely destroyed." Crown Princess alone at Skaugum while family at Olympics. Defence attacks police arrest operation. Opinion piece: media pressure could justify reduced sentence. Theatre play "The Son" in development.


While no one truly knows what happens behind closed palace doors, this series uses news sources, on-the-record quotes, and some artistic license to craft this entertainment series. Some moments have been dramatized for storytelling effect. AI narration was used in creation of this series.

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Influencer and former Love Island Norway contestant Nora Haukland delivered harrowing testimony in Oslo District Court, describing what prosecutors call a “regime of fear” during her relationship with Marius Borg Høiby. Høiby denies criminal guilt.

Haukland told the court she was pushed onto a sofa at Skaugum, grabbed by the throat, slapped and screamed at. “All I see in his eyes is just hate,” she said, recounting moments where she felt herself “black out.” She described being called vile names, threatened, and pinned against walls, and spoke about repeated denial that left her questioning her own reality. “In the end you start to believe it,” she explained.

Prosecutor Sturla Henriksbø pressed her on why she stayed. “You had a lot of hope that it would get better,” she replied, describing a split between what she called Høiby’s “sweet and charming” side and a darker, angry persona. Despite the allegations, she told the court she still feels fondness for him and once wanted to “save him.”

The court also heard references to a taxi video in which a caller allegedly mentioned seeing Høiby grab her by the throat. Haukland said she never received the apology she sought. Høiby was reported to have rarely looked at her during testimony and spent much of the session drawing.
Next week, Haukland is due to finish her evidence before Høiby gives his own account on the domestic abuse charges. Additional witnesses — including Sophie Elise — are expected, along with technical and forensic testimony.

Portions of this program were assembled with the assistance of AI, including help with translation, summarisation, and news gathering from publicly available sources. While we have taken care to reflect the reporting accurately, translations and interpretations may contain errors. Listeners should treat this as an informational overview, not a verbatim court record. Nothing in this program should be considered a factual finding or legal determination.

While no one truly knows what happens behind closed palace doors, this series uses news sources, on-the-record quotes, and some artistic license to craft this entertainment series. Some moments have been dramatized for storytelling effect. AI narration was used in creation of this series.

Unlock an ad-free podcast experience with Caloroga Shark Media! Get all our shows on any player you love, hassle free! For Apple users, hit the banner on your Apple podcasts app. For Spotify or other players, visit caloroga.com/plus. No plug-ins needed!

Subscribe now for exclusive shows like 'Palace Intrigue,' and get bonus content from Deep Crown (our exclusive Palace Insider!) Or get 'Daily Comedy News,' and '5 Good News Stories’ with no commercials! Plans start at $4.99 per month, or save 20% with a yearly plan at $49.99. Join today and help support the show!

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Thursday’s session in the trial of Marius Borg Høiby marked a decisive shift as the defendant gave his own detailed account of the November 2024 hotel encounter at the center of one of the rape charges. Høiby acknowledged that he filmed 27 videos found on his phone from that night and admitted he did not explicitly ask for permission to record, but insisted there was “no doubt” the woman knew she was being filmed. He rejected the allegation of rape, maintaining that the sex was voluntary and based on mutual chemistry, and said he has never shared the recordings.

Under questioning, he said that if someone says stop, then it means stop — but added he had no memory of her doing so. He also told the court he struggled to separate what he remembers from that night from what he has since learned through the investigation. An expert in sleep research testified that the short video clips are compatible with both sleep and wakefulness, adding that rapid deep sleep is possible under the influence of alcohol, creating uncertainty about consent.

The court then heard from the woman’s friend and sister, who described changes in her behaviour after viewing the recordings in a police interview. The defence highlighted earlier statements in which she spoke more lightly about the encounter, arguing the situation was reinterpreted later and that the legal threshold for the charges has not been met.

A dramatic moment unfolded when a former inmate who allegedly claimed Høiby boasted in prison about filming the woman refused to travel to testify. Prosecutors are considering whether to compel his appearance. Høiby denied making such statements and dismissed suggestions he received special treatment while in custody, saying he was treated like any other inmate and describing feeling like “Norway’s most hated man.”

With influencer and former partner Nora Haukland expected to testify next, the trial now moves into what both sides anticipate will be an emotionally charged phase focused on text messages, control, fear and the dynamics of past relationships.

Portions of this program were assembled with the assistance of AI, including help with translation, summarisation, and news gathering from publicly available sources. While we have taken care to reflect the reporting accurately, translations and interpretations may contain errors. Listeners should treat this as an informational overview, not a verbatim court record. Nothing in this program should be considered a factual finding or legal determination.


While no one truly knows what happens behind closed palace doors, this series uses news sources, on-the-record quotes, and some artistic license to craft this entertainment series. Some moments have been dramatized for storytelling effect. AI narration was used in creation of this series.

Unlock an ad-free podcast experience with Caloroga Shark Media! Get all our shows on any player you love, hassle free! For Apple users, hit the banner on your Apple podcasts app. For Spotify or other players, visit caloroga.com/plus. No plug-ins needed!

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Day ten of the trial of Marius Borg Høiby brought powerful testimony from a new complainant who alleges she was assaulted at a Forenom apart-hotel in Oslo in November 2024. She told the court the evening began with a flirtatious after-party atmosphere following an Aqua concert but ended in fear, confusion and panic. Both sides agree there was consensual sex shortly after arriving at the hotel. The dispute centers on what happened after she says she told him she wanted to sleep.

The woman testified that she woke repeatedly to being touched while asleep and described seeing what she believed was a camera flash before he lowered his phone. Prosecutors say investigators recovered 27 videos and four still images tied to the incident, recorded across two separate time blocks. S

ome recordings reportedly show her appearing awake, others motionless. She told the court she never consented to being filmed and never consented to sexual activity while asleep, stating clearly: “We had no agreement that he could film me or touch me while I was sleeping.”

Høiby, who denies criminal guilt in this and the other rape allegations, was expected to begin his explanation of the hotel incident but told the judge he was too tired and would wait until today. His account is now one of the key anticipated moments in the proceedings.

While no one truly knows what happens behind closed palace doors, this series uses news sources, on-the-record quotes, and some artistic license to craft this entertainment series. Some moments have been dramatized for storytelling effect. AI narration was used in creation of this series.

Unlock an ad-free podcast experience with Caloroga Shark Media! Get all our shows on any player you love, hassle free! For Apple users, hit the banner on your Apple podcasts app. For Spotify or other players, visit caloroga.com/plus. No plug-ins needed!

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The Marius Borg Høiby rape trial continued in Oslo District Court with testimony from a victim's father, a sleep researcher, and multiple witnesses. Prosecutors presented evidence that Høiby activated an encrypted photo vault app hours after the alleged assault, with billing tied to Slottsplassen 1 — the Norwegian Royal Palace. Sleep expert Ståle Pallesen explained how sleep deprivation and medication could impair a victim's awareness. Day 10 will feature the fourth and final complainant. 

While no one truly knows what happens behind closed palace doors, this series uses news sources, on-the-record quotes, and some artistic license to craft this entertainment series. Some moments have been dramatized for storytelling effect. AI narration was used in creation of this series.

Unlock an ad-free podcast experience with Caloroga Shark Media! Get all our shows on any player you love, hassle free! For Apple users, hit the banner on your Apple podcasts app. For Spotify or other players, visit caloroga.com/plus. No plug-ins needed!

Subscribe now for exclusive shows like 'Palace Intrigue,' and get bonus content from Deep Crown (our exclusive Palace Insider!) Or get 'Daily Comedy News,' and '5 Good News Stories’ with no commercials! Plans start at $4.99 per month, or save 20% with a yearly plan at $49.99. Join today and help support the show!

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Crown Princess Mette-Marit faces mounting international scrutiny as German media coverage of the Epstein revelations and the criminal trial of her son, Marius Borg Høiby, intensifies. A Berlin-based journalist claims her reputation in Germany is “completely destroyed,” while the rest of the Norwegian royal family continues official duties abroad, leaving the Crown Princess at Skaugum.

Defence lawyer Ellen Holager Andenæs sharply criticises the armed police operation that led to Høiby’s 2024 arrest, calling it disproportionate, while prosecutors defend both the arrest and their public handling of the indictment.

An opinion piece in Finansavisen argues that the extraordinary media pressure surrounding the case could justify a reduced sentence if Høiby is convicted — raising broader questions about justice, publicity and royal proximity.

While no one truly knows what happens behind closed palace doors, this series uses news sources, on-the-record quotes, and some artistic license to craft this entertainment series. Some moments have been dramatized for storytelling effect. AI narration was used in creation of this series.

Unlock an ad-free podcast experience with Caloroga Shark Media! Get all our shows on any player you love, hassle free! For Apple users, hit the banner on your Apple podcasts app. For Spotify or other players, visit caloroga.com/plus. No plug-ins needed!

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Marius Borg Høiby returned to the witness stand on Friday in Oslo District Court as the trial continued to focus on sharply different accounts of the same night. Both sides agree there was consensual sex earlier in the evening, but prosecutors allege that further sexual activity and filming took place after the woman had fallen asleep. Five videos recovered from his phone have become central to the case. Høiby disputes the prosecution’s interpretation, saying he did not understand that she was asleep and denying any criminal intent. Evidence about heavy intoxication and drug use at the party has also featured prominently in testimony. He has pleaded not guilty to the most serious charges and remains presumed innocent unless the court rules otherwise. The proceedings are ongoing.

While no one truly knows what happens behind closed palace doors, this series uses news sources, on-the-record quotes, and some artistic license to craft this entertainment series. Some moments have been dramatized for storytelling effect. AI narration was used in creation of this series.

Unlock an ad-free podcast experience with Caloroga Shark Media! Get all our shows on any player you love, hassle free! For Apple users, hit the banner on your Apple podcasts app. For Spotify or other players, visit caloroga.com/plus. No plug-ins needed!

Subscribe now for exclusive shows like 'Palace Intrigue,' and get bonus content from Deep Crown (our exclusive Palace Insider!) Or get 'Daily Comedy News,' and '5 Good News Stories’ with no commercials! Plans start at $4.99 per month, or save 20% with a yearly plan at $49.99. Join today and help support the show!

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Princess Ingrid Alexandra Instagram post to 800 followers: "I'm going crazy. When is enough?" Expert: "Family undoubtedly under pressure, but lot of it self-inflicted by her mother and half-brother." Crown Princess Mette-Marit apologizes to "especially the King and Queen"—"some content of messages does not represent person I want to be." Crown Prince Haakon: "I have to make sure to take care of the Crown Princess" who's "not allowed" to speak yet, "needs time to gather herself."

Deep Crown: "Ingrid Alexandra posting would simply never happen here. Mette-Marit's public apologies would also not happen. Norwegians believe transparency equals relatability. What it reveals is lack of institutional discipline." Marius trial: victim testified woke to assault—"I don't understand how someone can have sex with someone who's sleeping. It was painful. My body wasn't ready for it." Sleep researcher: pulse data "compatible with her initially being asleep, unable to resist."

Witnesses describe Høiby "authoritarian," victim "wanted to sleep, but he wanted to keep having sex." Høiby: "I've been woken up by being touched myself many times." Derogatory messages about victim dismissed as "locker-room talk." Crown Prince/Princess visited prison twice in one week despite one-visit limit. Ambassador resigned—Epstein left $10M to her children. Mette-Marit googled Epstein: "didn't look too good :)." 47.6% don't want her as queen. Republican membership surge.

While no one truly knows what happens behind closed palace doors, this series uses news sources, on-the-record quotes, and some artistic license to craft this entertainment series. Some moments have been dramatized for storytelling effect. AI narration was used in creation of this series.

Unlock an ad-free podcast experience with Caloroga Shark Media! Get all our shows on any player you love, hassle free! For Apple users, hit the banner on your Apple podcasts app. For Spotify or other players, visit caloroga.com/plus. No plug-ins needed!

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Marius Borg Høiby returned to the witness stand in Oslo District Court and shifted a key detail of his account, now saying he had sex twice — not once — with a woman who alleges she was later assaulted and filmed while asleep. Høiby denied noticing that she fell asleep and insisted he believed she would have objected to being recorded. Five hidden videos, drug use at the party and his admission that he “regretted it like hell” became central themes as prosecutors and defense presented sharply conflicting versions of the same night. The trial continues, with Høiby denying criminal responsibility for the most serious charges and presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

While no one truly knows what happens behind closed palace doors, this series uses news sources, on-the-record quotes, and some artistic license to craft this entertainment series. Some moments have been dramatized for storytelling effect. AI narration was used in creation of this series.

Unlock an ad-free podcast experience with Caloroga Shark Media! Get all our shows on any player you love, hassle free! For Apple users, hit the banner on your Apple podcasts app. For Spotify or other players, visit caloroga.com/plus. No plug-ins needed!

Subscribe now for exclusive shows like 'Palace Intrigue,' and get bonus content from Deep Crown (our exclusive Palace Insider!) Or get 'Daily Comedy News,' and '5 Good News Stories’ with no commercials! Plans start at $4.99 per month, or save 20% with a yearly plan at $49.99. Join today and help support the show!

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