Epstein manipulated Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit

The extent of Crown Princess Mette-Marit's relationship with Jeffrey Epstein was revealed through millions of documents released by the US Justice Department in early 2026, causing global shockwaves and particularly affecting Norway's royal family.

“A victim taken to the hospital”

Altitudes Magazine

The documents showed frequent communication between the Norwegian royal and Epstein between 2011 and 2014, long after he had pleaded guilty in 2008 to soliciting an underage girl.

Altitudes Magazine

The files revealed that Mette-Marit exchanged hundreds of emails with the disgraced financier and stayed at his Palm Beach home for four days during a private trip in 2013, despite his criminal status.

These revelations triggered an unprecedented crisis for the Norwegian monarchy, with the crown princess's name appearing multiple times in the Epstein documents and raising serious questions about her judgment and suitability to become queen.

The extent of their relationship went beyond what was previously known in earlier media coverage, prompting intense public scrutiny and political pressure on the royal family to provide a full account of their connections.

Crown Princess Mette-Marit has repeatedly claimed that she was 'manipulated and deceived' by Jeffrey Epstein, expressing deep regret for her association with the convicted sex offender.

In her first detailed interview with Norwegian public broadcaster NRK, the princess admitted to feeling manipulated by Epstein and took responsibility for her errors in judgment, stating 'It is incredibly important for me to take responsibility for not checking his background more thoroughly, and for the fact that I was manipulated and deceived.'

BBC

The crown princess went further, declaring 'Of course I wish I had never met him' and expressing anger over the lack of justice for Epstein's victims.

Her statements emphasized that she was unaware of Epstein's sexual crimes at the time of their personal dealings, though she acknowledged feeling deceived and unsafe following a 2013 visit to his Palm Beach mansion.

The princess has expressed guilt over Epstein's victims while maintaining that their relationship was strictly friendly with no intimate character.

The timing of Crown Princess Mette-Marit's public interview was carefully orchestrated, recorded at the royal residence in Skaugum and scheduled to air as her son Marius Borg Høiby's rape trial at Oslo District Court neared its conclusion.

“According to her account, the contacts began in 2011, when she worked on initiatives related to the United Nations Joint Programme on HIV/AIDS”

CatalunyaPress

The convergence of two separate but deeply personal crises—the Epstein scandal and her son's criminal charges—created one of the most turbulent periods in modern Norwegian monarchy history.

Mette-Marit had already issued a public apology in early February 2026 acknowledging 'poor judgement' in her dealings with Epstein, but had indicated she needed time before explaining herself in greater detail.

The decision to record the interview with Crown Prince Haakon present rather than through a written statement or solo appearance suggested the royal couple wanted to present a united front when addressing what had become one of the most sensitive royal controversies in Norway in recent memory.

Her last significant television appearance with Crown Prince Haakon had been on Christmas Day 2025, making the NRK broadcast her most substantial public appearance since the dual scandals emerged.

The Epstein scandal triggered an unprecedented political response in Norway, with Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre publicly agreeing that Crown Princess Mette-Marit had exercised 'poor judgement'—a comment described as a rare public criticism of a royal figure in Norway.

The prime minister's direct criticism signalled just how seriously the situation was being taken at the highest levels of Norwegian public life, reflecting the gravity of the royal family's association with a convicted sex offender.

Corse Matin

Crown Prince Haakon has publicly supported his wife's version of events, noting that knowledge of the relationship was not a secret within the family and that the encounters took place in open social contexts.

The scandal has reopened the debate about links between public figures and Epstein's circle, while also raising questions about the Norwegian monarchy's future.

Recent polls showed that a majority of Norwegians oppose the idea of Mette-Marit ever becoming queen, suggesting significant public concern about her judgment and the potential impact on the institution's reputation.

Despite her claims of manipulation, Crown Princess Mette-Marit has maintained that she was unaware of Epstein's criminal background during their encounters, though she admitted to being overly trusting of people.

“The interview coincides with the trial conclusion of her son, Marius Borg Høiby, who faces serious charges”

Devdiscourse

During the NRK interview, she maintained she 'didn't know he was a sex offender or a predator', even when the reporter pointed out that a Wikipedia article on Epstein at the time had clearly identified him as a convicted abuser.

Devdiscourse

Mette-Marit responded with 'I can't remember this; it was 15 years ago.' She explained that their relationship began through acquaintances in her circle linked to international organizations, describing the bond as strictly friendly with no intimate character.

However, she did acknowledge feeling 'unsafe' during a situation on the last day of her 2013 stay at Epstein's Palm Beach home, explaining that she phoned her husband Crown Prince Haakon about it.

Despite this unsettling incident, the crown princess maintained contact with Epstein for some time afterwards, stating 'I am overly trusting, I tend to think the best of people.'