Norwegian Crown Princess Expresses Regret Over Friendship with Jeffrey Epstein
In a heartfelt and tearful interview aired on Friday, Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit publicly addressed her association with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, calling it one of the most significant scandals to impact the country's royal family in recent history. The release of millions of documents by the U.S. Justice Department has unveiled Epstein's connections to high-profile individuals worldwide, including the crown princess, prominent Norwegian politicians, business leaders, and diplomats.
Princess Admits to Being Deceived and Manipulated
Speaking to public broadcaster NRK, Mette-Marit described how she felt manipulated and deceived by Epstein. "I was manipulated and deceived," she stated emotionally. "Of course, I wish I had never met him." The crown princess, who is 52 years old, has not been accused of any criminal wrongdoing, but she apologized to King Harald and Queen Sonja in a statement issued on February 6.
Documents Reveal Extensive and Prolonged Contact
The newly released files indicate frequent communication between Mette-Marit and Epstein that continued long after his 2008 guilty plea for soliciting an underage girl. Specifically, the contact spanned from 2011 to 2014, with the princess staying at Epstein's Palm Beach residence for four days during a private trip in 2013. This revelation has prompted an unusual rebuke from Norway's prime minister and calls for a full account from the royal family.
Key details from the documents include:
- Email exchanges showing Mette-Marit wrote to Epstein in October 2011, mentioning she had googled him and agreed "it didn't look too good," followed by a smiley face.
- When questioned about this email by NRK, the princess said she could not recall why she wrote it but emphasized that had she known the full extent of his crimes, she would not have included the smiley.
- The files appear to contradict a 2019 statement where Mette-Marit apologized for not investigating Epstein's past and claimed she would never have associated with him had she been aware of his actions.
Royal Family Dynamics and Personal Struggles
Crown Prince Haakon, Mette-Marit's husband and heir to the throne, expressed his unwavering support during the interview. "Mette is caring, wise and really strong. And that's why I will always have her on the team when something difficult happens," he said, adding that marriage is for both "the good days and the bad."
While the royal family has maintained a busy public schedule, including visits to the Winter Olympics in Italy and various functions in Norway, Mette-Marit has been absent from public view for weeks. She is grappling with a chronic lung disease that may eventually require a lung transplant, as well as the trial of her eldest son from a previous relationship, Marius Borg Hoiby, who is accused of rape and other crimes. Hoiby has pleaded not guilty to the major charges while admitting to some lesser ones in court.
Impact on Norwegian Monarchy's Popularity
The scandal has taken a toll on the Norwegian royal family's public standing. A February survey conducted by Norstat and published by NRK, involving 1,009 respondents, showed a decline in support for the monarchy. Approximately 60% of Norwegians now back the monarchy, down from 70% in January, while support for a republic has risen to 27% from 19% over the same period.
The prime minister's office has not immediately responded to requests for comment on the situation, highlighting the ongoing sensitivity and political implications of the scandal.
