Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit is facing renewed public scrutiny after newly released documents linked her to disgraced financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, revealing years of contact between the two.
The so-called Epstein files, made public last week, reportedly show that Mette-Marit’s name appeared more than 1,000 times in emails and messages exchanged with Epstein between 2011 and 2014. Norwegian media said the correspondence suggested frequent and informal communication over an extended period.
The revelations come at a particularly sensitive time for the Norwegian royal family, as the crown princess’s eldest son, Marius Borg Høiby, is due to stand trial on Tuesday on multiple criminal charges, including rape.
In response to the disclosures, Mette-Marit has acknowledged that her association with Epstein reflected “poor judgment” and expressed regret over the relationship. The documents reportedly indicate that she was aware of concerns surrounding Epstein’s background during the period of their contact.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre also weighed in on the issue, saying he agreed with the crown princess’s own assessment. “I am really using her own words. She says she has shown bad judgment. I agree, and I think it is worth saying that when I am asked my opinion about this,” he told reporters.
The latest developments have reignited debate in Norway over the conduct of senior royals and the potential implications for the monarchy, as Mette-Marit remains the country’s future queen.
