Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit has issued a public apology after newly released documents appeared to show she maintained years of extensive contact with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The revelations emerge at a particularly sensitive time for the Norwegian royal family, as the princess's son faces a high-profile trial on serious criminal charges.
Extensive Contact Revealed in Unsealed Files
The latest batch of Epstein-related files, unsealed by the United States justice department, reportedly contain nearly one thousand mentions of Crown Princess Mette-Marit. According to reports from the Norwegian daily newspaper VG, these documents include scores of emails exchanged between the princess and Epstein, suggesting their communication spanned from 2011 through to 2014.
Princess Expresses Regret and Embarrassment
In a statement released through the royal palace, Crown Princess Mette-Marit addressed the situation directly. "I showed poor judgment and I deeply regret having had any contact with Epstein. It is simply embarrassing," she stated. The fifty-two-year-old royal, who married Crown Prince Haakon in 2001, extended her "deep sympathy and solidarity" to Epstein's victims.
She acknowledged personal responsibility for not investigating Epstein's background more thoroughly and for failing to recognise his character promptly. However, the files themselves include a 2011 email in which Mette-Marit informed Epstein she had "Googled" him, remarking "it didn't look too good" alongside a smiling emoji, though she did not specify what her search uncovered.
Content of Email Exchanges
The email correspondence, as detailed in the released files, suggests a familiar and friendly relationship between the crown princess and Epstein. In various messages, Mette-Marit referred to Epstein as "soft hearted" and "such a sweetheart," and in one instance told him "you tickle my brain."
Notable exchanges include a 2012 email where Mette-Marit described Epstein as "very charming" and inquired whether it would be "inappropriate for a mother to suggest two naked women carrying a surfboard for my 15 yr old sons wallpaper?" Earlier that year, they discussed Epstein being on a "wife hunt" in Paris, with Mette-Marit commenting that the French capital was "good for adultery" and adding that "Scandis (are) better wife material."
In another message, she thanked Epstein for sending flowers when she was unwell, signing off with "Love, Mm." The files also indicate she stayed at his Palm Beach, Florida residence for four days in 2013 while Epstein was absent.
Timing Coincides with Son's Criminal Trial
These revelations surface as Mette-Marit's son, Marius Borg Høiby, prepares for a trial on thirty-eight charges, including the rape of four women, assault, and drug offences. The trial is scheduled to commence in Oslo, with Høiby facing a potential prison sentence of up to sixteen years if convicted. He has denied the most serious allegations, including those of sexual abuse.
Høiby, born from a relationship prior to Mette-Marit's marriage to Crown Prince Haakon, does not hold a royal title and is outside the line of succession. The royal court has previously stated that the matter is for the judicial system to decide, offering no further comment.
Crown Prince Haakon has indicated that Mette-Marit will be away on a private trip during the seven-week trial and is not expected to attend court proceedings.
Context and Aftermath
The contact between Crown Princess Mette-Marit and Epstein occurred years after Epstein pleaded guilty in Florida to charges including soliciting prostitution from a minor. The palace stated that Mette-Marit ceased written communication with Epstein in 2014, feeling he was attempting to leverage their relationship with others.
It is important to note that inclusion in the Epstein files does not imply any wrongdoing on the part of Crown Princess Mette-Marit. Nonetheless, the situation has drawn significant media attention in Norway and internationally, adding to the pressures facing the royal household during a challenging period.
