Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit has issued a public apology after newly released documents appeared to show she maintained years of extensive contact with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The princess described the relationship as "simply embarrassing" in a statement released through the royal palace over the weekend.
Extensive Contact Revealed in Epstein Files
The latest batch of Epstein documents, unsealed by the US justice department on Friday, reportedly contains nearly 1,000 references to the Norwegian crown princess. According to investigations by Norwegian daily VG, the files include scores of emails exchanged between Mette-Marit and Epstein spanning from 2011 to 2014, suggesting a sustained relationship during those years.
The 52-year-old princess, who married Crown Prince Haakon in 2001, addressed the revelations directly on Saturday. "I showed poor judgment and I deeply regret having had any contact with Epstein," she stated. "It is simply embarrassing."
Email Exchanges Show Personal Relationship
The disclosed emails paint a picture of a surprisingly personal connection between the royal and the financier. In one message, Mette-Marit told Epstein "you tickle my brain," while in others she referred to him as "soft hearted" and "such a sweetheart."
More concerning exchanges include a 2012 email where the princess asked Epstein whether it would be "inappropriate for a mother to suggest two naked women carrying a surfboard for my 15 yr old sons wallpaper?" In another conversation about Epstein being on a "wife hunt" in Paris, Mette-Marit remarked that the French capital was "good for adultery" and added that "Scandis (are) better wife material."
Timing Coincides with Son's Trial
These revelations emerge at a particularly sensitive moment for the Norwegian royal family. The trial of Mette-Marit's son, Marius Borg Høiby, is scheduled to begin on Tuesday. Høiby faces 38 charges including the rape of four women, assault, and drug offences, with potential prison sentences of up to 16 years if convicted.
Høiby, born from a relationship before Mette-Marit married Crown Prince Haakon, does not hold a royal title and remains outside the line of succession. The royal court has previously stated that "it is for the courts to consider this matter and reach a decision," adding they had no further comment.
Princess Claims Unawareness of Epstein's Background
In her statement, Mette-Marit expressed "deep sympathy and solidarity" with Epstein's victims and accepted responsibility for "not having checked Epstein's background more closely and not understanding quickly enough what kind of person he was."
However, the files contain a 2011 email that appears to contradict this claim. In the exchange, Mette-Marit told Epstein she had "Googled" him, adding "it didn't look too good" alongside a smiling emoji. The email did not specify what search results prompted this observation.
Royal Palace Provides Explanation
The royal palace stated that Mette-Marit ended written contact with Epstein in 2014 because she felt he was "trying to use his relationship with the crown princess as leverage with other people." The documents also indicate she stayed at his Palm Beach, Florida residence for four days in 2013 when Epstein was absent.
As her son's seven-week trial commences in Oslo, neither Mette-Marit nor Crown Prince Haakon are expected to attend court proceedings. Haakon has informed reporters that his wife will be away on a private trip during this period.
The Norwegian media has focused intensely on the princess's connections to Epstein, particularly noting that their correspondence continued years after Epstein pleaded guilty in 2008 to charges including soliciting prostitution from a minor in Florida. The crown princess's apology represents a significant moment for Norway's monarchy as it navigates these dual challenges to its reputation.
