Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre has said he agrees with Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s admission that she exercised “poor judgment” after newly released US Department of Justice files revealed her extensive contact with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The documents, which cover the period between 2011 and 2014, show that the crown princess appeared hundreds of times in Epstein-related correspondence. The revelations have caused fresh embarrassment for Norway’s royal family and come at a particularly sensitive moment, just days before the start of the trial of her son, Marius Borg Høiby, in Oslo.
In a statement released on Saturday, Crown Princess Mette-Marit acknowledged her mistake, saying: “I showed poor judgment and regret having any contact with Epstein at all. It is simply embarrassing.” She also expressed her “deep sympathy and solidarity with the victims of the abuses committed by Jeffrey Epstein.”
While Prime Minister Støre did not expand further, his public agreement with the princess’s self-criticism has been widely noted as unusual in a country where political leaders rarely comment directly on the conduct of the royal family.
He also said former Prime Minister Thorbjørn Jagland had shown “poor judgement” after it emerged that Jagland once planned a family holiday on Epstein’s private island, a trip that was later cancelled. Jagland is expected to state the matter.
According to the newly released files, the correspondence between Epstein and the crown princess began in the autumn of 2011. The tone of the emails has shocked many commentators in Norway, particularly one message dated 23 October 2011, in which she wrote: “Googled u after last email. Agree, didn’t look too good.” By that time, Epstein had already served a jail sentence and was a registered sex offender.
It has also emerged that Crown Princess Mette-Marit spent four days at Epstein’s home in Palm Beach, Florida, in January 2013, although Epstein himself was not present during that visit.
The controversy has intensified scrutiny of the Norwegian monarchy, which has faced several scandals in recent years, including the marriage of Princess Märtha Louise to a self-styled American shaman. This time, however, the focus is on the woman expected to become Norway’s future queen. Mette-Marit is also a patron of several organizations, including the Red Cross, adding to the public sensitivity surrounding the revelations.
The situation is further complicated by the upcoming trial of her 29-year-old son, Marius Borg Høiby, who is not a member of the royal family. He faces 38 charges, including rape and sexual assault, and denies the most serious allegations. Some of the charges involve sexual activity with women who were allegedly asleep or incapacitated, which constitutes rape under Norwegian law. If convicted, he could face at least 10 years in prison.
No members of the royal family will attend the trial, which begins on Tuesday at the Oslo District Court. However, Crown Prince Haakon addressed the situation in an emotional statement last week, saying: “Our thoughts are with everyone who is affected by this case.
We understand that this is a difficult time for many, and we sympathize. He added that although his stepson is not part of the royal family, “we care about him, and he is an important member of our family.”
As Norway prepares for both a high-profile court case and continued debate over the Epstein revelations, questions are being raised not only about personal judgment but also about the role of advisers and institutions in protecting the integrity of the monarchy, according to a BBC News report.
