Norway Crown Princess Reveals Epstein ‘Manipulated and Deceived’ Her
Crown Princess Mette-Marit has expressed regret over her ties to Jeffrey Epstein. In a televised interview with NRK, she described feeling manipulated and deceived.
New documents and the princess’s response
The U.S. Justice Department released millions of files. Those documents showed sustained contact between Mette-Marit and Epstein years after his 2008 guilty plea.
The files indicate contact from 2011 through 2014. They also show she stayed at Epstein’s Palm Beach home for four days in 2013.
Her public statements and past apologies
Mette-Marit apologized to King Harald and Queen Sonja in a February 6 statement. She had previously issued a public apology in 2019.
In the NRK interview she said she had ended contact with Epstein. She insisted she never saw anything illegal.
Details from released communications
One released email from October 2011 shows her acknowledging negative online information. The message included a lighthearted punctuation mark that she now says she cannot explain.
She told NRK she felt duped, and that she had been too ready to trust a mutual acquaintance. She said she wished she had never met him.
Political and institutional fallout
The revelations prompted criticism from Norway’s prime minister and calls for a fuller account. Officials and observers have demanded clarity about the extent of the relationship.
Filmogaz.com confirmed the files implicated other prominent Norwegians, including politicians, executives and diplomats.
Royal family reaction and personal circumstances
Crown Prince Haakon appeared beside his wife during the broadcast. He framed his support in terms of standing by his partner through difficult times.
The crown princess has not appeared in public for several weeks. The rest of the royal family has continued engagements, including a trip to the Winter Olympics in Italy.
Health and family challenges
Mette-Marit is living with a chronic lung disease. Doctors say she will eventually need a lung transplant.
She is also coping with legal proceedings involving her eldest son. Marius Borg Høiby, 29, faces accusations including rape and other offences.
He has pleaded not guilty to the rape and domestic-abuse counts. He has admitted to some lesser charges in court.
Public opinion shifts
A Norstat survey of 1,009 respondents showed declining support for the monarchy. Approval fell to 60% in February, from 70% in January.
Support for a republic rose to 27%, up from 19% the previous month. The poll results were published on February 21 by NRK.
Contextual note
The story has been widely discussed under the headline Norway Crown Princess Reveals Epstein ‘Manipulated and Deceived’ Her. Authorities say she is not accused of any criminal wrongdoing.
Investigations and public inquiries may continue as officials review the newly released material. The royal family faces sustained scrutiny as a result.
