Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway, the nation's future Queen, has publicly addressed what she describes as her "embarrassing" friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. This statement comes following the release of email exchanges between the princess and Epstein in the latest disclosure of the Epstein files, which have sparked significant controversy.
Emails Reveal Personal Discussions and Regret
The newly surfaced emails appear to show Crown Princess Mette-Marit discussing potential stays at Epstein's Palm Beach residence and engaging in conversations about his attempts at "wife hunting." In one particularly revealing exchange from 2012, the princess, who is married to Crown Prince Haakon, the heir to the Norwegian throne, described a royal wedding she attended in Luxembourg as "boring."
In a formal statement provided to Norwegian broadcaster NRK, the Crown Princess expressed profound remorse for her association with Epstein. She stated, "Jeffrey Epstein is responsible for his actions. I must take responsibility for not checking Epstein's background better and for not understanding quickly enough what kind of person he was."
Mette-Marit continued with a clear admission of fault, saying, "I deeply regret that, and this is a responsibility I must take. I showed poor judgment and regret ever having any contact with Epstein. It is simply embarrassing." The future Queen also extended her "deep sympathy and solidarity with the victims of the abuses committed by Jeffrey Epstein."
Historical Context and Previous Apologies
This is not the first time the Crown Princess has addressed her connection to Epstein. She was initially linked to the disgraced financier in 2019, at which point she similarly expressed regret for not investigating his background more thoroughly. The latest statement reinforces her previous apologies while responding directly to the newly publicised email evidence.
Coinciding With Son's Criminal Trial
The princess's statement emerges just days before the commencement of her son Marius Borg Høiby's trial in Oslo. Høiby faces thirty-two serious charges, including alleged rape, abuse in a close relationship, acts of violence, making death threats, and multiple traffic violations. The trial is scheduled to begin on Tuesday and is expected to continue until mid-March.
Despite the gravity of the case and its lengthy duration, Crown Princess Mette-Marit and Crown Prince Haakon have confirmed they will not be present in court to support Høiby. In a statement issued last week, the Crown Prince clarified that the Norwegian Royal Family does not wish to comment on the trial and that official duties will proceed as normal.
Family Reactions and Legal Stance
In December, following months of silence, Høiby's family spoke openly about the impending court case and its impact on them. Even King Harald and Queen Sonja of Norway addressed the accusations publicly. Crown Princess Mette-Marit explained her decision to speak out, noting the intense scrutiny surrounding her son's case.
"Our view has always been that this matter must be dealt with in the legal system. That is where it belongs," the future Queen asserted. When Høiby was formally charged in August 2025, State Attorney Sturla Henriksbø emphasised the seriousness of the case, stating that Høiby's royal connections should not afford him any special treatment or leniency under Norwegian law.
If convicted on the charges, the twenty-nine-year-old Høiby could potentially face a prison sentence of up to ten years. The convergence of these two significant events—the Epstein revelations and the royal son's criminal trial—places the Norwegian monarchy under unprecedented public examination during a particularly challenging period.
