Crown Princess Mette-Marit has made a striking return to royal duty while using oxygen support in public for the first time, underscoring the seriousness of her health challenges. We also look at the full Crown Prince family appearing together amid mounting scrutiny, and Nora Haukland’s new interview about her relationship with Marius Borg Høiby as the case moves closer to a verdict

AI is sometimes used in the creation of this podcast, primarlily when used to translate and interpolate Norwegian language news soruces.

You may also enjoy these other Royal Podcasts.

Palace Intrigue - daily updates on the current British Ryal Family

Crown and Controversy - British Royal Family after the TV Series The Crown

King William - The Crown in the Future

Crown and Controversy - King Charles

Crown and Controversy - Norway 

Norway’s Supreme Court has issued a significant ruling that could matter a great deal in the Marius Borg Høiby case, particularly on the sexual assault charges involving women prosecutors say were asleep or otherwise unable to resist. The decision does not affect the question of guilt or innocence, but it could influence sentencing if Høiby is convicted on any of those counts. We break down what the ruling means, why both the defense and prosecution believe it helps their side, and how the legal framework around so-called “sleep rape” cases in Norway may now be shifting.

Plus: one of Norway’s best-known actors says the case should force a broader reckoning about men, pornography and cultural attitudes toward women — and the courtroom artist whose sketches became the defining visual record of the trial reflects on documenting seven relentless weeks inside court.

AI is sometimes used in the creation of this podcast, primarlily when used to translate and interpolate Norwegian language news soruces.

You may also enjoy these other Royal Podcasts.

Palace Intrigue - daily updates on the current British Ryal Family

Crown and Controversy - British Royal Family after the TV Series The Crown

King William - The Crown in the Future

Crown and Controversy - King Charles

Crown and Controversy - Norway 

Sunday prison visit: Haakon, Mette-Marit, and Sverre Magnus photographed arriving at Oslo Prison to see Marius. Appeals court rules Marius remains in detention until June verdict, rejects release request. Court cites "strong probability" of reoffending, points to Valentine's Day restraining order breach while in custody (flowers and letter to Frogner woman through third party). Defense argued media attention reduced risk, court rejected: coverage "has not prevented accused from being suspected of new criminal acts." Mette-Marit surprise return to public duties Tuesday welcoming Belgian royals, first engagement in two months despite health deterioration. NRK "Debatten" reveals Palace received interview questions week in advance. Media critic Anki Gerhardsen: "managed communications exercise" not journalistic scrutiny. Attorney Gunhild Vehusheia (Aftenposten): interview placed too much focus on Mette-Marit's regret, too little on Epstein's victims. Repeated phrases "I didn't know," "I don't remember" are "exactly the kinds of explanations from people on edges of abuse scandals who chose not to look too closely." Commentator Carl-Erik Grimstad: Mette-Marit in "pitch-black tunnel," Palace chose "over-managed communications strategy" when honesty needed. Palace clarifies email account no longer exists (leaked 2012). Friday Supreme Court ruling lowers "sleep rape" sentencing benchmark. Defense: "clearly" affects case, seeks further reductions. Prosecution: already accounted for in seven-year-seven-month recommendation. Sentencing debate: "quantity discount on very serious crimes like rape." Media backlash: Defense attorney Andenæs calls coverage "heartbreakingly awful," "crushing."

AI is sometimes used in the creation of this podcast, primarlily when used to translate and interpolate Norwegian language news soruces.

You may also enjoy these other Royal Podcasts.

Palace Intrigue - daily updates on the current British Ryal Family

Crown and Controversy - British Royal Family after the TV Series The Crown

King William - The Crown in the Future

Crown and Controversy - King Charles

Crown and Controversy - Norway 

Marius Borg Høiby will remain in custody after losing his appeal, while a major Supreme Court ruling on so-called sleep rape cases has opened a new legal front ahead of the expected June verdict. There is also growing backlash over how the Norwegian media covered the trial.

AI is sometimes used in the creation of this podcast, primarlily when used to translate and interpolate Norwegian language news soruces.

You may also enjoy these other Royal Podcasts.

Palace Intrigue - daily updates on the current British Ryal Family

Crown and Controversy - British Royal Family after the TV Series The Crown

King William - The Crown in the Future

Crown and Controversy - King Charles

Crown and Controversy - Norway 

Crown Princess Mette-Marit returned to public duties during the Belgian state visit, but the fallout from her Epstein interview continues. New criticism of the Palace’s media strategy, questions about how the NRK interview was handled, and a wave of opinion pieces suggest the story is far from settled.

AI is sometimes used in the creation of this podcast, primarlily when used to translate and interpolate Norwegian language news soruces.

You may also enjoy these other Royal Podcasts.

Palace Intrigue - daily updates on the current British Ryal Family

Crown and Controversy - British Royal Family after the TV Series The Crown

King William - The Crown in the Future

Crown and Controversy - King Charles

Crown and Controversy - Norway 

An appeals court has ruled that Marius Borg Høiby will remain in pre-trial detention, rejecting his request for release ahead of a verdict expected in early June. The court cited a “strong probability” of reoffending, pointing in part to a restraining order breach during the trial, when Høiby arranged to send flowers and a letter to the Frogner woman.His defense argued that intense media scrutiny had already limited his circumstances, but the court dismissed that claim, concluding detention remains necessary. The result is clear: Høiby stays in custody as the case moves toward a decision.

At the same time, Crown Princess Mette-Marit made an unexpected appearance at the Royal Palace during the Belgian state visit, despite earlier indications she would not attend due to her health. It marked her first official engagement in nearly two months and comes as she continues to manage pulmonary fibrosis.The brief appearance, alongside Crown Prince Haakon and the Norwegian royal family, arrives at a moment of heightened attention — where legal uncertainty and personal challenges are unfolding side by side.

AI is sometimes used in the creation of this podcast, primarlily when used to translate and interpolate Norwegian language news soruces.

You may also enjoy these other Royal Podcasts.

Palace Intrigue - daily updates on the current British Ryal Family

Crown and Controversy - British Royal Family after the TV Series The Crown

King William - The Crown in the Future

Crown and Controversy - King Charles

Crown and Controversy - Norway 

Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit were seen arriving at Oslo Prison alongside Prince Sverre Magnus, just days after the trial of Marius Borg Høiby concluded. While prison visits are routine, the timing and visibility of this one have drawn significant attention, reading as a clear show of support as the family awaits a verdict expected in early June.

We break down where the case stands now, including the charges, the prosecution’s sentencing request, and the growing debate over Norway’s legal framework, with critics questioning what one commentator called a “quantity discount” for serious crimes.

At the same time, scrutiny has returned to Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s past contact with Jeffrey Epstein. A newly discussed detail from the Palace — that the email account in question was compromised and no longer exists — adds another layer to an already sensitive issue.
With the trial complete but the outcome still unknown, the royal family finds itself navigating both a legal pause and a very active public conversation.


AI is sometimes used in the creation of this podcast, primarlily when used to translate and interpolate Norwegian language news soruces.

You may also enjoy these other Royal Podcasts.

Palace Intrigue - daily updates on the current British Ryal Family

Crown and Controversy - British Royal Family after the TV Series The Crown

King William - The Crown in the Future

Crown and Controversy - King Charles

Crown and Controversy - Norway 

Trial paused Tuesday (judge ill), resumed Wednesday. Prosecution closing arguments: Henriksbø says Marius "not monster... but must be held accountable." Four "sleep rape" allegations detailed. Skaugum woman videos: "appears to be sleeping, absence of sound." Lofoten woman's pulse watch data: woke from deep sleep twice, "just after defendant filmed her genital area." Nachspiel woman: sleeping tablets, "sensed flashes of light." Oslo hotel: "woke from hard blow to genital area." Pattern: "parties, alcohol, voluntary sex. But then women become tired, and he continues anyway." Haukland testimony credible, chokehold eighty times. Frogner woman: "roared like a gorilla," 172 calls after relationship ended. Prosecution seeks 7 years 7 months, convictions on 39 of 40 charges, $104k compensation. Defense closing: "no evidence suggests Marius can be convicted of rapes," seeks 1 year 6 months, acquittal on all rapes. Prosecution response: "absence of rape videos does not imply absence of rape." Trial concludes, Høiby declines final statement. Verdict expected June. Mette-Marit NRK interview: "I was manipulated and deceived." Palm Beach incident: "made me feel so unsafe I called Haakon." Cannot recall what she found when Googling Epstein 2011. "I should have warned more people." Key questions remain unanswered.

AI is sometimes used in the creation of this podcast, primarlily when used to translate and interpolate Norwegian language news soruces.

You may also enjoy these other Royal Podcasts.

Palace Intrigue - daily updates on the current British Ryal Family

Crown and Controversy - British Royal Family after the TV Series The Crown

King William - The Crown in the Future

Crown and Controversy - King Charles

Crown and Controversy - Norway 

Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit has spoken publicly for the first time about her relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, saying she was “manipulated and deceived” and taking responsibility for not investigating him more thoroughly.

In a highly personal interview with NRK, conducted alongside Crown Prince Haakon, she acknowledged spending time at Epstein’s Palm Beach property, described a moment that left her feeling unsafe, and admitted, “I should have warned more people.”

But while the interview was candid and emotional, it leaves key questions unanswered — including what she discovered when she first searched Epstein’s name, and why contact continued after the incident in Palm Beach.

We break down what she said, what she didn’t say, and whether this carefully controlled interview helps restore trust in the Norwegian monarchy — or raises new concerns at a critical moment for the institution.

AI is sometimes used in the creation of this podcast, primarlily when used to translate and interpolate Norwegian language news soruces.

You may also enjoy these other Royal Podcasts.

Palace Intrigue - daily updates on the current British Ryal Family

Crown and Controversy - British Royal Family after the TV Series The Crown

King William - The Crown in the Future

Crown and Controversy - King Charles

Crown and Controversy - Norway 

The trial of Marius Borg Høiby has officially concluded after more than six weeks in court, with the case now in the hands of judges and a verdict expected in early June.

On the final day, the defense pushed for acquittal on the most serious charges, including four alleged rapes and abuse in a close relationship, arguing there is not enough evidence to meet the legal standard of proof beyond a reasonable doubt.

We break down the defense’s key arguments, from challenges to digital evidence and witness credibility to claims that the case ultimately comes down to “word against word.”

Meanwhile, prosecutors stood firm, maintaining there is sufficient evidence to convict on all counts and urging the court to look at what they describe as a broader pattern of behavior across multiple incidents.

With a potential sentence ranging from around 18 months to more than seven years, the outcome now hinges on how the judges interpret weeks of testimony, evidence, and competing narratives.

AI is sometimes used in the creation of this podcast, primarlily when used to translate and interpolate Norwegian language news soruces.

You may also enjoy these other Royal Podcasts.

Palace Intrigue - daily updates on the current British Ryal Family

Crown and Controversy - British Royal Family after the TV Series The Crown

King William - The Crown in the Future

Crown and Controversy - King Charles

Crown and Controversy - Norway