Marius Borg Høiby Says He Never Drugged Her, as “Rape” Searches, Hidden-File App Claims and New Polls Hammer Norway’s Royals

0:03 Calarogu Shark Media. Hello and welcome to Crown and Controversy, Norway. I am your host of Palace Intrigue, Mark Francis. On Thursday, the trial of Marius Borg Hoiby entered its second day of testimony, with the focus turning sharply to allegations that one of the women who has accused him of rape was drugged before the alleged assault. Hoiby, aged twenty nine, returned to the witness stand to answer questions from prosecutors about events surrounding a twenty eighteen incident said to have taken place at the Crown Prince's family residents outside Oslo.

0:43 The alleged victim has told the court she believes she was drugged and left unconscious during the encounter. Prosecutors directly asked Hoyby whether he had administered drugs to her. He responded clearly and unequivocally, saying he had never drugged her. He was then questioned about his knowledge of drugs capable of incapacitating a person, including substances such as ketamine. Hoiby acknowledged that he was aware of such drugs and said he could probably have attained them, but again denied never using them on anyone. Thursday's testimony also addressed search terms found on Hoibe's mobile phone. Prosecutors highlighted searches that included words such as rape, asking whether this reflected a particular interest, Hoibi replied that he had looked up what he described as a lot of weird stuff, offering no further explanation.

1:30 Observers noted he appeared tense during this exchange, at times of fiddling with a bracelet as he answered questions. The lawyer representing the alleged victim pressed Hoibe on a broader pattern raised by prosecutors, namely that several of the rape charges involved women who were allegedly asleep or otherwise than conscious at the time of the incidents. Asked how he explained this, Hoeby said he could not remember the specific twenty eighteen episode and therefore could not say whether consent had been present. He told the court that because he did not recall the moment in question, he did not know whether consent existed. This testimony followed emotional scenes earlier in the trial, when Hoybe denied that videos found on his phone showed acts of rape and became visibly distressed while speaking about growing up under constant media attention. The trial continues to place significant strain on Norway's royal household.

2:22 As proceedings unfolded. On Thursday, fresh opinion polls were published showing declining public support for the monarchy, with particular concern focused on Crown Princess Meta Marie's position as a future queen. One survey found that forty four percent of respondents believed she should not become queen, while just over one fifth consider her suitable for the role. Another poll showed that although a majority of Norwegian's still support retaining the monarchy, that support has fallen noticeably compared with last year, while support for a republic has increased. Two guests who attended the December twenty eighteen gathering at the Crew Prince family's residence described the event as unremarkable, subdued, and largely forgettable.

3:06 When witness told the court it was a normal after party following a night out in Oslo, saying the group mostly set around drinking and chatting. She said there was no sign of drug use and no indication that anyone was unusually intoxicated beyond normal levels of alcohol consumption. According to her testimony, everyone present was drunk but awake. Another guest echoed that account, describing the party as quiet, full of small talk, and lame, with nothing that stood out. At the time, witnesses estimated that between eight and ten people were present. One guest recalled that the alleged victim had initiated a game of spin the bottle and said no one appeared to behave strangely or out of character during the evening. The prosecution alleges that during this gathering, Wabey sexually assaulted a woman while she was asleep. According to the indictment, he is accused of digitally penetrating her while she was unconscious. The alleged victim has previously told the court that she has no memory of the incident and experienced what she described as a blackout. She has said she believes she may have been given something without her knowledge. Hoyby is denied drugging anyone, telling the court he has never administered drugs to another person and that to the best of his recollection, he only remembers consensual sexual contact. Thursday's proceedings also focused on video evidence discovered on the Hoybe's phone. Investigators testified that recordings allegedly showing the assault were later moved from the phone's standard photo storage into a separate application. A data expert explained to the court that the app must be downloaded deliberately and is commonly used to hide images, videos, text files, and

4:40 documents from playing view. Prosecutors alleged that this transfer was intentional. The court also heard that Hoybe is accused of attempting to remotely delete content from his phone during the police investigation, an allegation that adds to concerns about potential interference with evidence. Attention then turned to Hoybe's in Tonet search history. Prosecutors cited searches for terms including rape and Hoiby's own name, conducted before formal charges were filed. Hoeby told the court these searches were prompted by rumors he had seen circulating about him online. During this part of his testimony, Norwegian media reported that he became visibly emotional, breaking down several times while discussing both the searches and aspects of his sexual behavior. Hoiby appears to be struggling on Wednesday, on his first day on the witness stand. Weyby explained it was very difficult for him to give testimony, saying, it is very difficult for me to speak in front of so many people. I have been surrounded by the press since I was three. I have been harassed ever since, he said, breaking down in tears. He also described himself.

5:46 I am known as the son of Mummy, he said, referring to Madame Marid, which means I have an extreme need for affirmation, he said, A lot of sex, a lot of alcohol. If you can relate to the life I have led a lot of parties, alcohol and drugs. Norwegian media reporter that Hybee told the court, I am incredibly tired today. I sit in my cell a lot and think more Crown and Controversy Norway after the break. By the way, you can get Crown and Controversy Norway commercial free, along with Pallas, Intrigue commercial free and all the other Palace spin offs we have for just four ninety nine a month. All you have to do is go to that button there on the Apple Player that says listen uninterrupted and you can try it out free for a month, and after that it's just four ninety nine and you get everything commercial free, plus hundreds of other series from Klaroga Shark Media and we appreciate all your support behind the scenes. How a magazine asks, is this Norway's annis horribilis Crown Princess Metamorys shocking contact with Epstein and son Marius trial is rocking the royal family.

6:53 Nicholas cockin Thornson, editor in chief of See and Here Norway, tells Hello that the nature and tone of the contact in the messages has come as a great surprise to many in Norway. The fact that the Crown Princess Madame Marie met Jeffrey Epstein both at his home and in Oslow, several years after he admitted too sexual abuse is difficult for many to accept. Nicholas says Meta Marie is very popular in Norway and perceived by many as down to earth and a good representative of the royal house. She has probably become more and more popular in recent years up until all the scandals that emerged over the past year and a half. The revelations of the past few days place the Crown Princess in a very bad light and not least cast doubt on her honesty toward the Norwegian people. The Epstein case will definitely affect the monarchy and especially her in a negative way. This could potentially become very problematic for the monarchy if many questions remain unanswered.

7:48 There is already an ongoing debate about whether Madame Marie can become queen after this, and she has also lost her patronage of one association, while several others are considering whether she can retain her patronage of their organizations. Norway's largest specialist center for sexual and reproductive health and rights has announced that it is ending its collaboration with Crown Princess Metamory. On February second, Sex and Society confirmed that it will no longer work with the Crown Princess in her role as patron of the Scum Loss Prize, also known as the Shameless Award. The organization said the decision followed recent revelations that it believes are incompatible with the values represented by the prize. In a statement, the foundation explained that while it does not claim to know every detail, what has become public so far is incompatible with what the award stands for. Crown Princess Metamory has served as patron of the Scum Loss Prize which is intended to promote openness, dignity, and the rights related to sexual and reproductive health. Nicholas ads the contact she has had with Epstein appears both intimate and shocking. Therefore, it is important that she herself explains how this could have happened. Hello points out in the same way, Queen Elizabeth IID famously referred to nineteen ninety two as an anis horribilis, a year that she would not look back on with undiluted pleasure.

9:06 The Norwegian Royals now seem to be facing an anis horribilus of their own. And there you have it. If you'd like to email us or addresses the Palace Intrigue at gmail dot com, and don't forget you can still get updates to the Norwegian trial on our regular feed Palace Intrigue and we'll have this show daily as well. Just focusing on the Norwegian Trial by Mike Francis my thanks to John McDermott. This is Crown and controversy, Norwagian good terms