Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit apologises for “embarrassing” friendship with Jeffrey Epstein as her son faces rape trial, raising questions about her future
OSLO: Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit has apologised for her “embarrassing” friendship with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The apology follows the release of US court documents showing her name appeared over 1,000 times in Epstein’s files.
Norwegian media published messages between the crown princess and Epstein from 2011 to 2014.
In one 2011 email, Mette-Marit asked Epstein if it was “inappropriate for a mother to suggest two naked women carrying a surfboard for my 15 yr old son’s wallpaper”.
She also told him he was “very charming” and once suggested “Scandis (are) better wife material” after he mentioned being in Paris on a “wife hunt”.
Epstein had pleaded guilty in 2008 to soliciting a minor for prostitution prior to these communications.
The files also show she stayed at his Florida home for four days in 2013.
In a statement, the 52-year-old royal said, “I showed poor judgment and I deeply regret having had any contact with Epstein. It is simply embarrassing.”
She accepted responsibility for not checking his background more thoroughly.
Yet a 2011 message shows she told Epstein she had “googled” him and noted “it didn’t look too good”, ending the sentence with a smiling emoji.
The royal palace stated she cut contact in 2014, believing Epstein was trying to use their relationship for leverage.
Historian and royal expert Ole-Jorgen Schulsrud-Hansen said the correspondence “almost gives the impression that they were close friends”.
He added, “A crown princess is never a private person. This shows in any case a lack of judgment.”
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said he agreed Mette-Marit had made an error.
The scandal has prompted public debate about whether she can still become queen.
The controversy coincides with her son Marius Borg Hoiby’s trial on serious charges beginning Tuesday.
Hoiby, 29, faces 38 charges including the rape of four women, plus assault and drug offences.
He denies the most serious allegations and could face up to 16 years in prison if convicted.
The royal couple will not attend the seven-week trial, with Crown Prince Haakon stating Mette-Marit will be away on a private trip.
Mette-Marit also suffers from a rare, incurable form of pulmonary fibrosis.
The palace announced in December she will likely need a risky lung transplant.
“She is someone who is under much pressure. But that should not stop any criticism, if it is factual,” said Schulsrud-Hansen.
