Norwegian Crown Princess Breaks Silence on Epstein Relationship
Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit has publicly stated for the first time that she was manipulated and deceived by the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following years of personal email exchanges revealed in recently released documents. The princess, who serves as a special envoy for the UN Aids Programme, expressed deep regret over her association with Epstein, which has sparked national controversy and led to a parliamentary investigation.
Email Exchanges and Public Pressure
The Epstein files, disclosed by the US justice department in January, have sent shockwaves through Norwegian society, implicating high-profile figures including Mette-Marit and a former prime minister. According to the documents, the crown princess is mentioned nearly 1,000 times in personal email communications between 2011 and 2014. One notable exchange involved Mette-Marit inquiring about the appropriateness of a suggestive wallpaper for her 15-year-old son, highlighting the informal nature of their correspondence.
After enduring seven weeks of mounting pressure, including calls from Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, Mette-Marit participated in a 20-minute interview with Norwegian broadcaster NRK. Filmed at her home, Skaugum, near Oslo, alongside her husband Crown Prince Haakon, the interview aired on Friday. This appearance coincided with the final day of her son Marius Borg Høiby's trial, where he faces serious charges including four rapes, which he denies.
Health Concerns and Personal Reflections
Mette-Marit, who suffers from pulmonary fibrosis and may require a lung transplant, cited her health and her son's legal troubles as contributing factors to her delayed response. I am the mother of a young man who has been in a very demanding situation, she told NRK. In addition, I have health that requires a lot of rest. And it has developed even more. She emphasized her responsibility for not thoroughly investigating Epstein's background, stating, It is incredibly important for me to take responsibility for not checking his background more carefully.
The princess expressed great anger that Epstein's victims have not received justice, while acknowledging her potential role in lending him legitimacy. She described Epstein as a close friend of a mutual acquaintance, introduced to her in 2011, and denied any intimate relationship, insisting their connection was purely friendly.
Controversial Email and Stay at Epstein's Home
Among the scrutinized emails is one from October 2011, where Mette-Marit wrote, Googled you after the previous email. Agreed, it didn't look good :). When questioned about this, she admitted uncertainty, saying, I spent a lot of time trying to figure that out myself. She asserted that had she known Epstein was a sex offender, she would not have included a smiley face, though she could not recall if she encountered information about his conviction.
The files also revealed that Mette-Marit stayed at Epstein's Palm Beach home in Florida for several days in January 2013. She explained that a mutual friend had borrowed the property, but this stay has become a source of intense personal guilt since Epstein's abuses became widely known in 2019. Visibly emotional, she said, The fact that I have been there and, not least, have a sense of guilt for the victims. I have spent a lot of time processing this.
Parliamentary Response and Ongoing Fallout
In response to the revelations, the Norwegian parliament voted unanimously on Tuesday to establish an independent investigative commission to examine connections between the country's foreign office and Epstein. This move underscores the broader implications of the scandal, which continues to unfold as more details emerge from the Epstein files.
Mette-Marit's interview marks a pivotal moment in addressing her involvement, as she navigates personal health challenges and public scrutiny. The royal palace had previously issued a statement where she acknowledged poor judgment, but her recent comments provide a more detailed account of her experiences and regrets.
