Norwegian Royal Connections to Jeffrey Epstein Revealed in Court Documents
The recent release of the Jeffrey Epstein files has exposed the extensive network of the convicted paedophile financier, connecting him to numerous high-profile figures globally. Among those implicated are members of Norway's royal family, specifically Crown Prince Haakon, through both his current wife and a former romantic partner.
Crown Princess Mette-Marit's Epstein Links
Crown Princess Mette-Marit, the 52-year-old wife of Norway's future king, appears hundreds of times in the Epstein documents. Email evidence confirms she stayed at Epstein's Palm Beach, Florida residence in 2013, arranged through a mutual friend according to Norwegian broadcaster NRK. The royal household has acknowledged this stay, which has placed significant pressure on the monarchy.
Mette-Marit has issued multiple apologies regarding her association with Epstein, stating in a recent palace release: "It is important for me to apologize to all of you whom I have disappointed. Some of the content of the messages between Epstein and me does not represent the person I want to be." She added regret for "the situation I have put the Royal Family in, especially the King and Queen."
Crown Prince Haakon's Former Girlfriend Also Connected
Before marrying Mette-Marit in 2001, Crown Prince Haakon was in a two-year relationship with Norwegian heiress Celina Midelfart, who has also been linked to Epstein. During Ghislaine Maxwell's 2021 sex trafficking trial in New York, Maxwell's former assistant Cimberly Espinosa testified about ordering flowers for Midelfart on Epstein's behalf during the 1990s, when Epstein was simultaneously dating Maxwell.
A photograph from 1997 shows Midelfart, then a student, kissing Epstein's cheek at a charity reception at Donald Trump's Mar-a-lago resort. Midelfart has strongly denied any close relationship with Epstein, telling Norwegian media VG.no: "The claim is untrue. I've never had a relationship with or dated Epstein. He was part of the circle of acquaintances around Donald Trump, of which it is known that I was also a part for a short period."
Midelfart's Background and Other High-Profile Relationships
Celina Midelfart comes from a prominent Norwegian family as granddaughter of Ole Midelfart, founder of the eponymous cosmetics company in 1923. After her father's death in 1995, she took over the family business while studying economics at the London School of Economics and later finance at New York University's Stern School of Business, graduating summa cum laude in 1998.
Midelfart has been romantically linked to several notable figures beyond Crown Prince Haakon. She reportedly had a brief relationship with Donald Trump before he pursued Melania Trump, with Trump later describing her in 2008 as a "wonderful person and businesswoman." She also dated pop star Robbie Williams before marrying Norwegian billionaire Tor Olav Trøim in 2009, with whom she had a son named Olav in 2011 before their subsequent separation.
Royal Family Under Pressure
The Epstein revelations come at a difficult time for Norway's royal family, already facing scrutiny due to legal proceedings involving Crown Princess Mette-Marit's son, Marius Borg Høiby, who is on trial in Oslo for multiple offenses including rape allegations. King Harald, 88, and the monarchy generally enjoy popularity in Norway, but these consecutive controversies have challenged the institution's public image.
The royal palace has stated that Mette-Marit wishes to explain her Epstein connections in greater detail but "is in a very difficult situation and hopes for understanding that she needs time to gather her thoughts." Being named in the Epstein files does not imply guilt regarding Epstein's crimes, but the associations have nevertheless created significant embarrassment for the Norwegian royals.
Midelfart, now executive chairman and sole owner of investment company Midelfart Capital AS, maintains a low public profile, with her last major appearance being at Princess Madeleine of Sweden's 2013 wedding. Her ex-boyfriend Petter Stordalen described her in a 2005 documentary as "a reflective 30-year-old" whose public image often focuses on appearance rather than substance, noting that "a lot of good and thoughtful things come from her."
