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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Another intense day unfolded in Oslo District Court as the trial of Marius Borg Høiby continued, with witness testimony detailing tensions at the Lofoten after-party where prosecutors allege the most serious rape charge occurred. Guests described a shift in Høiby’s demeanor as the night progressed, with claims he became dominant, pushed alcohol, and created an uncomfortable atmosphere. A defense witness testified he heard what he believed were consensual sounds through a shared wall and was “shocked” by the charges.

The court also heard expert analysis of pulse-watch sleep data from a University of Bergen researcher, who testified the biometric readings were compatible with the complainant initially being asleep and later waking. Defense counsel challenged aspects of that interpretation.
In addition, prosecutors presented details of a separate alleged assault in Oslo in spring 2024, including claims that multiple videos were recorded while the woman was asleep or in a sleep-intoxicated state. Høiby denies all rape and unlawful filming charges and is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a final court judgment.

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Marius Borg Høiby faced intense questioning in Oslo as prosecutors pressed him over late-night texts, a five-second intimate video, and smartwatch data they say shows the complainant was in deep sleep during the alleged assault. Høiby insists the sex was consensual, calling key moments “situational” and dismissing crude messages as “locker-room talk,” while witnesses described him as heavily intoxicated and “dominant.”

Meanwhile, a separate storm engulfs the palace as newly released Epstein emails show Crown Princess Mette-Marit Googled the disgraced financier years after his conviction and maintained warm contact. With a rape trial unfolding and republican anger rising, Norway’s monarchy faces its gravest test in decades.

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A woman from Lofoten gives closed-door testimony in Oslo District Court, alleging she woke to Marius Borg Høiby having sex with her while she was asleep during a trip in October 2023.

Prosecutors say smartwatch data and a short video found on Høiby’s phone support claims she was unconscious, while the defence insists the encounter was consensual. Høiby, testifying under medication and visible strain, denies ever having sex with a sleeping partner as the trial continues to intensify pressure on Norway’s royal family.

Content warning on today's episode.

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Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit make multiple visits to Marius Borg Høiby behind bars as his rape trial grinds on, raising questions about access and optics. At the same time, Princess Ingrid Alexandra retreats abroad after blasting “personal attacks” on Instagram, while Epstein-linked scandals widen with a Norwegian ambassador’s resignation. Norway’s once low-drama monarchy is now under sustained pressure at home and abroad.

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Norway’s royal crisis deepens as Princess Ingrid Alexandra breaks royal protocol with an emotional Instagram post saying she’s “going crazy” amid relentless personal attacks. Her message lands as Crown Princess Mette-Marit issues yet another apology over her Epstein ties, admitting regret and acknowledging that parts of their correspondence do not reflect the person she wants to be. Crown Prince Haakon steps in to shield his family, saying his focus is “taking care of the flock,” while critics warn the family’s transparency is eroding trust rather than restoring it. Parliament moves to reaffirm the monarchy, but support is slipping, republican membership is surging, and even Norway’s prime minister has weighed in. As polls soften and public patience thins, Norway confronts an uncomfortable question: has its most relatable royal family finally lost control of the narrative?

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It’s a brutal week for royal men with too much privilege and not enough purpose. As Prince Andrew is quietly shoved out of Windsor under cover of darkness, Norway’s royal family finds itself engulfed in a scandal that makes Britain’s York mess look familiar. Marius Borg Høiby, the son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit, is facing four rape charges and dozens of other allegations, triggering a national reckoning over entitlement, power, and unchecked behaviour. Commentators draw chilling parallels between Andrew and Høiby, arguing that royal indulgence, moral vacuum, and lack of accountability lead to predictable disaster. Meanwhile, fresh reporting details Mette-Marit’s warm and deeply embarrassing correspondence with Jeffrey Epstein, prompting public outrage, political condemnation, and a growing debate over whether she can ever become queen. Norway’s famously low-key monarchy is suddenly fighting for its credibility.

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

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