Crown Princess Mette-Marit Breaks Silence, Expresses Regret Over Jeffrey Epstein Contact

Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit has publicly expressed deep regret over her past association with the late US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, breaking a seven-week silence after revelations about the extent of their contact. In a candid 20-minute interview with national TV, the Crown Princess stated she wished she had never met him, admitting to feeling manipulated.

Emotional Interview Addresses Past Links

Crown Princess Mette-Marit, often appearing on the verge of tears, told Norwegian television that she felt "so manipulated" by Epstein and acknowledged her failure to scrutinize his background more carefully. She stressed the importance of taking responsibility for being "deceived as I was" during their interactions between 2011 and 2014, which included exchanging hundreds of emails and a stay at his Florida residence.

The interview marks her most comprehensive public statement since millions of Epstein files released by the US justice department in late January brought the nature of their relationship to light. She had previously issued an apology and admitted to "poor judgement."

Questions Over Awareness and Responsibility

Despite a 2011 email where she wrote, "Googled u after last email. Agree didn't look too good," the Crown Princess, sitting alongside Crown Prince Haakon, maintained she "didn't know he was a sex offender or a predator." This assertion was made even when the reporter highlighted that Epstein's Wikipedia article at the time clearly identified him as a convicted abuser. Mette-Marit stated she couldn't remember details from 15 years ago.

She described Epstein as a "private contact" and a close friend of a mutual acquaintance, explaining this as the reason neither the palace nor the foreign ministry were aware of her links to him. She also spoke of an "uneasy" incident during her 2013 stay at Epstein's Palm Beach home, which prompted her to phone her husband, though she declined to elaborate further. Despite this, she continued contact for some time, attributing it to her "overly trusting" nature before eventually ending all direct communication.

Olley News Insight: The ongoing scrutiny of individuals connected to Jeffrey Epstein continues to impact public figures globally, placing renewed pressure on those who maintained contact with the convicted sex offender. For European royalty, such revelations can raise significant questions about judgement and suitability for public office.

Reflecting on Royal Role and Health

The timing of the interview, recorded on Thursday, coincided with the conclusion of her son Marius Borg Høiby's rape trial, which began shortly after the Epstein files surfaced. A verdict in that case is expected in June.

The Crown Princess, 52, who suffers from the lung disease pulmonary fibrosis, also addressed doubts raised by Norwegians regarding her capacity to serve as queen when Crown Prince Haakon accedes to the throne. She made it clear that her ability to continue in her royal role "depends on her state of health." Crown Prince Haakon expressed his unwavering support, stating, "This is after all our project, which we're doing together."

Key Takeaways

  • Crown Princess Mette-Marit expressed deep regret and felt manipulated by Jeffrey Epstein in a 20-minute TV interview.
  • She took responsibility for not checking Epstein's background more carefully, breaking seven weeks of silence.
  • Mette-Marit claimed she did not know Epstein was a sex offender, despite public information available at the time.
  • She maintained Epstein was a "private contact" and attributed continued contact to her "overly trusting" nature, ending it after an "uneasy" incident.
  • The interview's timing followed the conclusion of her son's trial, which started after the Epstein files were released.
  • Her ability to continue in her royal role, particularly as a future queen, is contingent on her ongoing health battle with pulmonary fibrosis.