Crown Prince Haakon of Norway has been forced to defend his wife, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, over her past friendship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein and her ongoing battle with pulmonary fibrosis. During a visit to fishing companies in Møre og Romsdal on Monday, the future king faced questions about the controversies surrounding the royal family.
Haakon stated, 'I don't read all my wife's emails,' and added, 'We've been through a lot, but I think things are better now. She is ill, and that is already something that is a part of our daily life.' The princess, diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis in 2018, recently attended an official event with an oxygen tank, highlighting her chronic condition.
The Epstein scandal resurfaced after Mette-Marit's explanations regarding her email exchanges with Epstein were deemed insufficient. Haakon attempted to steer the conversation back to the day's topic, saying, 'I'm not going to dwell on that subject much now.'
With Mette-Marit's health limiting her engagements, and other senior royals unavailable, Haakon remains the only fully operational member of the Norwegian royal family. His son, Prince Sverre Magnus, is set to attend two official events alongside him in the coming days.
The monarchy faces a vulnerable period due to health issues, scandals, and prolonged absences. Haakon continues to manage media pressure while trying to maintain institutional continuity.
