Norway's royal family is grappling with two major scandals as King Harald, Europe's oldest reigning monarch, prepares to turn 89. The crises have eroded public support for the monarchy, with polls showing a sharp decline in approval ratings.
Crown Princess Mette-Marit is under fire after the latest release of the Epstein files revealed nearly 1,000 mentions of her, including an email where she asked the late sex offender if it was 'inappropriate for a mother to suggest two naked women carrying a surfboard for my 15 yr old sons wallpaper?' She has expressed 'deepest regret' for her friendship with Epstein, but Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre has called her judgment 'poor' and demanded more transparency.
Meanwhile, Mette-Marit's son from a previous relationship, Marius Borg Høiby, is on trial in Oslo on 38 counts, including rape of four women. He has pleaded not guilty to the most serious charges but admitted partial guilt for aggravated assault and reckless behaviour. The trial has transfixed Norway.
Public support for the monarchy has plummeted from 72% in 2024 to 54% in a recent poll. Nearly half of Norwegians believe Mette-Marit should not become queen when her husband, Crown Prince Haakon, ascends the throne. Some royal patron organisations are reconsidering their ties with her.
Political editor Kjetil B Alstadheim noted that the Epstein revelations pose a greater threat than Høiby's trial because Mette-Marit is central to the monarchy's future. He described the prime minister's public criticism as unprecedented.
Crown Prince Haakon has said the family is supporting each other through the turmoil. The scandals come after previous controversies, including Mette-Marit's past as a single mother and Princess Märtha Louise's marriage to a shaman, but the current crises are seen as far more damaging.
