October 5, 2025 • 12 mins
The COVID medallion scandal pushes the Norwegian royal family to their breaking point. As health organizations condemn royal-connected medical misinformation and Norwegian politicians demand action, Crown Prince Haakon makes an unprecedented public statement about potentially stripping his sister of her title. Behind palace doors, emergency meetings and ultimatums force Princess Märtha Louise to face the most difficult decision in Norwegian royal history: choose love or choose the crown.
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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!
We now have Merch! FREE SHIPPING! Check out all the products like T-shirts, mugs, bags, jackets and more with logos and slogans from your favorite shows! Did we mention there’s free shipping? Get 10% off with code NewMerch10 Go to Caloroga.com
Get more info from Caloroga Shark Media and if you have any comments, suggestions, or just want to get in touch our email is info@caloroga.com
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:03):
Caalaruga Shark Media. The COVID Medallion's scandal had pushed the
Norwegian royal family to their breaking point. By late twenty
twenty two, there were whispers of emergency meetings happening weekly
behind closed doors at the royal residence. The fairy tale
(00:27):
romance had become a nightmare, threatening the very survival of
the monarchy. King Harold the Fifth, eighty five years old
and weakened by recent health issues, watched helplessly as his
daughter's relationship consumed Norwegian headlines daily. The king, who had
once revolutionized royal traditions by marrying a commoner, now faced
(00:50):
his greatest regret. Had his progressive approach to monarchy open
doors that should have remained closed. Queen Sonya found herself
caught between maternal love and institutional duty. Pallace staff reported
that family dinners had become tense affairs, with careful conversations
around topics that once would have been discussed freely. This
(01:15):
is Crown and Controversy, Norway's Royal Rebels, Episode four, The
Impossible Choice. The close knit royal family was fracturing under
unprecedented pressure, but it was Crown Prince Hakon who faced
the most impossible position. As heir to the throne, he
(01:39):
had a constitutional responsibility to protect the monarchy he would
soon inherit. His sister's association with dangerous medical misinformation wasn't
just embarrassing, it was an existential threat to the institution.
The breaking point came when international health organizations began expressing
(01:59):
concerns about royal connected COVID misinformation. Some at the World
Health Organization, already battling vaccine hesitancy and treatment resistance globally,
watched in horror as someone linked to European royalty promoted
medallions as pandemic cures. Norwegian parliamentary members began asking pointed questions.
(02:21):
Several members of Parliament publicly questioned whether taxpayer funding should
support a royal family that tolerated dangerous health claims. The
Palace received letters from medical organizations across Europe expressing concern.
Cancer societies, pediatric associations, and women's health advocates all condemned
(02:43):
the royal connection to what they called harmful pseudoscience. The
international medical community was watching, and their judgment was harsh.
Then came the moment that changed everything. In a carefully
orchestrated into that would send shockwaves across Norway. Crown Prince
(03:03):
Hakon revealed that the royal family was discussing unprecedented action.
We have, of course noticed that some of what has
been said and done has caused quite a bit of discussion,
the future king told Norwegian media. The diplomatic language barely
concealed what Pallace insiders later confirmed the royal family was
(03:25):
considering stripping Princess Marta Luise of her official title and duties.
The revelation hit Norwegian media like an earthquake. Never in
modern history had a member of the Norwegian royal family
faced the loss of their title due to personal conduct.
Constitutional scholars scrambled to analyze the unprecedented situation. Marta Luis's
(03:52):
response revealed the depth of the family crisis. In interviews,
she expressed shock and hurt at the public nature of
the criticism from her own brother. She never expected my
own family to turn against her publicly. Behind Pallace walls,
sources revealed that private discussions had been ongoing for months.
(04:15):
The COVID medallion scandal had been what insiders called the
final straw. The combination of dangerous medical claims commercial exploitation
of royal status and increasingly defiant public statements had pushed
the monarchy beyond its tolerance limits. Pallace advisers painted a
stark picture for the royal family. Polling data showed the
(04:38):
monarchy's approval ratings at historic lows. International media coverage portrayed
Norway's royals as either gullible or irresponsible. The institution's credibility
was hanging by a thread. Durek's response to the royal
pressure was characteristically tone death. In social media posts, he
(05:00):
suggested the royal family was being influenced by dark forces
that opposed their spiritual mission. This language only deepened palace concerns.
Mental health professionals, speaking anonymously to Norwegian media expressed worry
about what they described as paranoid thinking patterns. The idea
(05:21):
that medical criticism constituted dark forces suggested troubling detachment from reality.
The economic implications became clear when international business partners associated
with Norwegian royal events began expressing private concerns. Sponsors quietly
questioned whether they wanted continued association with the controversy. The
(05:46):
Monarchy's commercial relationships, carefully built over decades, were crumbling, European
royal correspondents watched nervously. The Norwegian situation was being studied
as a potential template for how much monarchies might respond
to similar crises. Other royal families faced their own challenges
(06:06):
with unconventional members, and Norway's response would set important precedents.
As autumn turned to winter in twenty twenty two, Palace
sources revealed that detailed discussions were taking place about structuring
Marta Luise's separation from official duties. Constitutional experts noted the
(06:27):
complexity how do you remove someone from a role they
were born into while respecting their rights as an individual citizen.
The pressure on Marta Luise intensified when Norwegian politicians began
weighing in more forcefully. Several members of Parliament suggested that
royal family members promoting medical misinformation violated their public trust.
(06:51):
The constitution gave Parliament oversight of royal activities, and some
members threatened formal inquiries. November eighth, twenty twenty two, would
go down as one of the most dramatic days in
modern Norwegian royal history. In a carefully worded video statement
(07:15):
that Pallas sources later revealed took weeks to craft, Princess
Martin Luise announced her decision. I have decided to step
back from my official duties for the Royal House. She declared,
her voice steady but emotion visible beneath the surface. I
am taking this step to create a clearer dividing line
between my business activities and my role as a member
(07:37):
of the royal family. The statement was presented as voluntary,
but Pallis insiders speaking anonymously to Norwegian media revealed she
had been given an ultimatum choose the crown or choose
the shaman. The decision was historic. For the first time
(07:58):
in Norwegian history, a prince says had chosen love over duty,
personal beliefs over institutional responsibility. Constitutional experts called it unprecedented
in modern European monarchy. The Royal House's official statement emphasized
that the family continued to love and support Marta Luise
(08:19):
personally while protecting the institution's mission. They also condemned the
racist attitudes that Direct Verrit has had to contend with,
adding that they consider it a strength that the Royal
House reflects Norway's ethnic diversity. This acknowledgment was carefully crafted
to separate legitimate criticism of medical misinformation from any racist motivations.
(08:46):
Palace advisers wanted to make clear that opposition to dangerous
health claims wasn't based on Durek's background. Norwegian public reaction
was mixed, but generally supportive of the royal family's decision.
Polling showed that while many felt sympathy for Marta Luise's
personal situation, most believed the monarchy had to take action
(09:09):
to protect its credibility. Medical professionals expressed relief that the
royal family had finally taken decisive action, but from Marta
Luise the cost was devastating. She retained her princess title,
but lost her official role representing the Norwegian people. Her
(09:29):
various business ventures would continue without royal connection. The financial
implications were significant, as much of her income had been
tied to her royal status. The fairy tale romance had
extracted its final price. A princess had chosen love over crown,
but the victory felt hollow. The monarchy survived, but the
(09:53):
family was forever changed. As Marta Luise faced her new
life without official duties, one question remained. Had love really
conquered all or had everyone lost something precious in the battle,
the stage was set for the most controversial royal wedding
in Norwegian history. The princess and the shaman would have
(10:15):
their happy ending, but the cost would be measured in
more than just lost titles and strained relationships. Next time
(10:36):
on Crown and Controversy, the wedding that divided a nation.
Princess Marta, Luise and Durek plan their controversial ceremony. Norwegian
media faces unprecedented restrictions. International attention focuses on the royal
rebel's big day, and as the couple prepares to say
I do, the final cost of their fairy tale love becomes.
(11:05):
While no one truly knows what happens behind closed palace doors.
This entertainment series uses new sources on the record, quotes,
and some artistic license. Some moments have been dramatized for
storytelling effect. AI narration was used in creation of this series.
To keep up with royal families around the world, follow
(11:27):
our sister podcast, Palace Intrigue, a seven day a week,
ten minute update on royalty and if you love royal
stories like this one, be sure to check out Crown
and Controversy, our deep Dive series on the British royal family,
crown and controversy. Norway's Royal Rebels is a production of
(11:48):
Calaroga Shark Media executive producers Mark Francis and John McDermott.
Caalaruga Shark Media. The COVID Medallion's scandal had pushed the
Norwegian royal family to their breaking point. By late twenty
twenty two, there were whispers of emergency meetings happening weekly
behind closed doors at the royal residence. The fairy tale
(00:27):
romance had become a nightmare, threatening the very survival of
the monarchy. King Harold the Fifth, eighty five years old
and weakened by recent health issues, watched helplessly as his
daughter's relationship consumed Norwegian headlines daily. The king, who had
once revolutionized royal traditions by marrying a commoner, now faced
(00:50):
his greatest regret. Had his progressive approach to monarchy open
doors that should have remained closed. Queen Sonya found herself
caught between maternal love and institutional duty. Pallace staff reported
that family dinners had become tense affairs, with careful conversations
around topics that once would have been discussed freely. This
(01:15):
is Crown and Controversy, Norway's Royal Rebels, Episode four, The
Impossible Choice. The close knit royal family was fracturing under
unprecedented pressure, but it was Crown Prince Hakon who faced
the most impossible position. As heir to the throne, he
(01:39):
had a constitutional responsibility to protect the monarchy he would
soon inherit. His sister's association with dangerous medical misinformation wasn't
just embarrassing, it was an existential threat to the institution.
The breaking point came when international health organizations began expressing
(01:59):
concerns about royal connected COVID misinformation. Some at the World
Health Organization, already battling vaccine hesitancy and treatment resistance globally,
watched in horror as someone linked to European royalty promoted
medallions as pandemic cures. Norwegian parliamentary members began asking pointed questions.
(02:21):
Several members of Parliament publicly questioned whether taxpayer funding should
support a royal family that tolerated dangerous health claims. The
Palace received letters from medical organizations across Europe expressing concern.
Cancer societies, pediatric associations, and women's health advocates all condemned
(02:43):
the royal connection to what they called harmful pseudoscience. The
international medical community was watching, and their judgment was harsh.
Then came the moment that changed everything. In a carefully
orchestrated into that would send shockwaves across Norway. Crown Prince
(03:03):
Hakon revealed that the royal family was discussing unprecedented action.
We have, of course noticed that some of what has
been said and done has caused quite a bit of discussion,
the future king told Norwegian media. The diplomatic language barely
concealed what Pallace insiders later confirmed the royal family was
(03:25):
considering stripping Princess Marta Luise of her official title and duties.
The revelation hit Norwegian media like an earthquake. Never in
modern history had a member of the Norwegian royal family
faced the loss of their title due to personal conduct.
Constitutional scholars scrambled to analyze the unprecedented situation. Marta Luis's
(03:52):
response revealed the depth of the family crisis. In interviews,
she expressed shock and hurt at the public nature of
the criticism from her own brother. She never expected my
own family to turn against her publicly. Behind Pallace walls,
sources revealed that private discussions had been ongoing for months.
(04:15):
The COVID medallion scandal had been what insiders called the
final straw. The combination of dangerous medical claims commercial exploitation
of royal status and increasingly defiant public statements had pushed
the monarchy beyond its tolerance limits. Pallace advisers painted a
stark picture for the royal family. Polling data showed the
(04:38):
monarchy's approval ratings at historic lows. International media coverage portrayed
Norway's royals as either gullible or irresponsible. The institution's credibility
was hanging by a thread. Durek's response to the royal
pressure was characteristically tone death. In social media posts, he
(05:00):
suggested the royal family was being influenced by dark forces
that opposed their spiritual mission. This language only deepened palace concerns.
Mental health professionals, speaking anonymously to Norwegian media expressed worry
about what they described as paranoid thinking patterns. The idea
(05:21):
that medical criticism constituted dark forces suggested troubling detachment from reality.
The economic implications became clear when international business partners associated
with Norwegian royal events began expressing private concerns. Sponsors quietly
questioned whether they wanted continued association with the controversy. The
(05:46):
Monarchy's commercial relationships, carefully built over decades, were crumbling, European
royal correspondents watched nervously. The Norwegian situation was being studied
as a potential template for how much monarchies might respond
to similar crises. Other royal families faced their own challenges
(06:06):
with unconventional members, and Norway's response would set important precedents.
As autumn turned to winter in twenty twenty two, Palace
sources revealed that detailed discussions were taking place about structuring
Marta Luise's separation from official duties. Constitutional experts noted the
(06:27):
complexity how do you remove someone from a role they
were born into while respecting their rights as an individual citizen.
The pressure on Marta Luise intensified when Norwegian politicians began
weighing in more forcefully. Several members of Parliament suggested that
royal family members promoting medical misinformation violated their public trust.
(06:51):
The constitution gave Parliament oversight of royal activities, and some
members threatened formal inquiries. November eighth, twenty twenty two, would
go down as one of the most dramatic days in
modern Norwegian royal history. In a carefully worded video statement
(07:15):
that Pallas sources later revealed took weeks to craft, Princess
Martin Luise announced her decision. I have decided to step
back from my official duties for the Royal House. She declared,
her voice steady but emotion visible beneath the surface. I
am taking this step to create a clearer dividing line
between my business activities and my role as a member
(07:37):
of the royal family. The statement was presented as voluntary,
but Pallis insiders speaking anonymously to Norwegian media revealed she
had been given an ultimatum choose the crown or choose
the shaman. The decision was historic. For the first time
(07:58):
in Norwegian history, a prince says had chosen love over duty,
personal beliefs over institutional responsibility. Constitutional experts called it unprecedented
in modern European monarchy. The Royal House's official statement emphasized
that the family continued to love and support Marta Luise
(08:19):
personally while protecting the institution's mission. They also condemned the
racist attitudes that Direct Verrit has had to contend with,
adding that they consider it a strength that the Royal
House reflects Norway's ethnic diversity. This acknowledgment was carefully crafted
to separate legitimate criticism of medical misinformation from any racist motivations.
(08:46):
Palace advisers wanted to make clear that opposition to dangerous
health claims wasn't based on Durek's background. Norwegian public reaction
was mixed, but generally supportive of the royal family's decision.
Polling showed that while many felt sympathy for Marta Luise's
personal situation, most believed the monarchy had to take action
(09:09):
to protect its credibility. Medical professionals expressed relief that the
royal family had finally taken decisive action, but from Marta
Luise the cost was devastating. She retained her princess title,
but lost her official role representing the Norwegian people. Her
(09:29):
various business ventures would continue without royal connection. The financial
implications were significant, as much of her income had been
tied to her royal status. The fairy tale romance had
extracted its final price. A princess had chosen love over crown,
but the victory felt hollow. The monarchy survived, but the
(09:53):
family was forever changed. As Marta Luise faced her new
life without official duties, one question remained. Had love really
conquered all or had everyone lost something precious in the battle,
the stage was set for the most controversial royal wedding
in Norwegian history. The princess and the shaman would have
(10:15):
their happy ending, but the cost would be measured in
more than just lost titles and strained relationships. Next time
(10:36):
on Crown and Controversy, the wedding that divided a nation.
Princess Marta, Luise and Durek plan their controversial ceremony. Norwegian
media faces unprecedented restrictions. International attention focuses on the royal
rebel's big day, and as the couple prepares to say
I do, the final cost of their fairy tale love becomes.
(11:05):
While no one truly knows what happens behind closed palace doors.
This entertainment series uses new sources on the record, quotes,
and some artistic license. Some moments have been dramatized for
storytelling effect. AI narration was used in creation of this series.
To keep up with royal families around the world, follow
(11:27):
our sister podcast, Palace Intrigue, a seven day a week,
ten minute update on royalty and if you love royal
stories like this one, be sure to check out Crown
and Controversy, our deep Dive series on the British royal family,
crown and controversy. Norway's Royal Rebels is a production of
(11:48):
Calaroga Shark Media executive producers Mark Francis and John McDermott.
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