Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit Apologizes for Friendship with Jeffrey Epstein
Oslo, Norway – Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway has issued a “profound apology” to the Norwegian people for her friendship with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following the release of extensive details of their contact in recently published Epstein files. The apology comes after mounting pressure and a promise from the palace that the Crown Princess would address the issue.
Extensive Contact Revealed in Epstein Files
The relationship between Crown Princess Mette-Marit and Jeffrey Epstein became a major scandal for the Norwegian royal family when it first came to light in 2019, coinciding with Epstein’s indictment. Initial reports indicated contact between 2011, and 2014. The Crown Princess initially downplayed the extent of the contact, claiming a lack of knowledge of Epstein’s crimes and stating she had broken off contact in 2013 – a claim later proven false.
Newly released Epstein files in 2026 revealed the depth of their connection, with the Crown Princess mentioned over a thousand times in the documents.
Recent Apology and Interview
On February 6, 2026, Crown Princess Mette-Marit released a statement offering a “profound apology” to Norwegians. She acknowledged poor judgment and expressed regret for placing the Royal House, particularly King Harald V and Queen Sonja, in a demanding position.
The Crown Princess conducted an interview with NRK at Skaugum on Thursday, March 19, 2026, to further discuss the matter. The interview was completed after six weeks of anticipation following the palace’s announcement that she would address the public. Details surrounding the interview, such as its length and the specific questions asked, were not immediately released by NRK, citing journalistic principles.
Details of the Relationship
The correspondence between Epstein and the Crown Princess spanned from 2011 to 2014 and included plans for potential meetings. The Crown Princess spent four days at Epstein’s Palm Beach home in Florida while he was not present. Emails revealed she had researched Epstein online in 2011, noting that his background “didn’t look too good.”
Following the release of the Epstein files, the Crown Princess stated she was responsible for not thoroughly checking Epstein’s background and for failing to recognize the nature of his character quickly enough. She expressed embarrassment over having any contact with him at all.
Further Investigation
The Crown Prince Haakon commented on the situation on February 6, 2026, stating his wife needed time to process the situation. The interview with NRK is expected to be published on Friday, providing further insight into the Crown Princess’s perspective and the impact of this scandal on the Norwegian Royal Family.