OSLO, Norway (AP) — Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway publicly apologized on Friday for the distress she has caused the royal family due to her past associations with the late Jeffrey Epstein, who was a convicted sex offender. This apology is part of a broader effort to address the disappointment felt by many in light of her recent scrutiny following the release of documents detailing her communications with Epstein.
The past week has seen heightened attention on Crown Princess Mette-Marit as her son, Marius Borg Høiby, is currently on trial in Oslo for multiple offenses, including rape. Reports indicate that the Epstein files contain hundreds of mentions of the crown princess, which has added to the royal family's embarrassment during this tumultuous time. Mette-Marit had previously expressed regret for her interactions with Epstein in 2019, which have resurfaced with the release of new documents.
Among the revelations was the fact that Mette-Marit had borrowed an Epstein-owned home in Palm Beach, Florida, for several days in 2013. According to Norwegian broadcaster NRK, this stay was arranged through a mutual friend, which the royal household has confirmed.
The royal palace released a statement indicating that Mette-Marit wishes to address the public and offer a detailed explanation of her past conduct, but stated that she is currently in a "very difficult situation" and needs time to process her thoughts. In her second statement within a week, she expressed deep regret for her previous friendship with Epstein, stating, "It is important for me to apologize to all of you whom I have disappointed." She further clarified that some of the messages exchanged between herself and Epstein do not reflect the individual she strives to be, and apologized specifically for the situation she has placed her family in, particularly her parents-in-law, King Harald and Queen Sonja of Norway.
King Harald, at 88 years old, and the royal family generally enjoy considerable public support in Norway, but the ongoing legal issues involving Mette-Marit’s son have cast a shadow over the family's reputation since 2024. Mette-Marit, now 52, is married to Crown Prince Haakon, who is the heir to the throne.
The documents released include an instance where Mette-Marit emailed Epstein in November 2012 to ask whether it was inappropriate for a mother to suggest two naked women carrying a surfboard for her then 15-year-old son's wallpaper. Epstein's response advised her to stay out of it. Mette-Marit acknowledged that she should have vetted Epstein's background more thoroughly, reflecting on her "poor judgment" in associating with him and describing the situation as "embarrassing."
She is not the only prominent Norwegian facing scrutiny related to the Epstein documents. The Norwegian Economic Crime Investigation Service announced it would investigate whether former Prime Minister Thorbjørn Jagland received gifts, travel accommodations, or loans from Epstein during his time in office. Jagland, who served as Prime Minister from 1996 to 1997, has been linked to Epstein through emails that suggest he made plans to visit Epstein’s private island in 2014 while acting as chairman of the Nobel committee; an assistant of Epstein organized the flights.
Authorities in Norway are considering lifting Jagland's diplomatic immunity to facilitate further inquiry. His attorney has confirmed that Jagland is cooperating with the investigation. Additionally, the World Economic Forum has initiated an internal review regarding its CEO, Børge Brende, to explore his relationship with Epstein. Brende, who served as Norway’s foreign minister from 2013 to 2017, has stated that his interactions with Epstein were strictly business-related and claimed he was unaware of Epstein’s criminal past.
Jeffrey Epstein died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial on charges related to the sexual abuse of underage girls in the United States.
