Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit Details Manipulation by Jeffrey Epstein, Addresses Shopping Trip Questions
Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit has publicly addressed her relationship with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, stating she was “manipulated and deceived” during their interactions. The princess’s statements came during a 20-minute interview with Norwegian broadcaster NRK, marking the first time she and Crown Prince Haakon have directly addressed the fallout from her ties to Epstein. The interview followed the release of millions of pages of Epstein-related documents by the U.S. Justice Department.
Regret and Manipulation
“I experience so manipulated, and when you are manipulated, you don’t realise it from the start,” Princess Mette-Marit said, often appearing emotional during the interview. She expressed regret for her contact with Epstein, stating, “Of course, I wish I had never met him.” She acknowledged a lack of due diligence in researching Epstein’s background, taking responsibility for not thoroughly checking his history.
Details of Contact and Gifts
The Crown Princess clarified some details regarding gifts and services she received from Epstein. She stated she accepted a few rides from Epstein’s driver during her stay at his Palm Beach property, a hairdressing service she did not pay for, and a four-day stay at Epstein’s villa, which she said was arranged through a friend. She also received flowers and two other gifts, for which she did not know who paid.
The Prada Shopping Trip and Bergdorf Goodman Photo
Questions arose regarding a planned shopping trip to Prada in New York in 2013, as revealed in email exchanges between the princess and Epstein. Epstein wrote to the princess, suggesting, “And you might have to come shopping with me.” While the Crown Princess stated she did not recall a shopping trip, receipts surfaced showing Epstein spent $3,950 at Bergdorf Goodman on the same day they had planned to shop at Prada. AP News reports this information.
A photograph from the Epstein files depicts two women at Bergdorf Goodman. The court has declined to confirm whether the woman on the right is the Crown Princess, stating she “as far as she remembers and has been able to trace” did not receive more gifts or services than those she mentioned in the NRK interview. Global News details this ongoing uncertainty.
No Wrongdoing Alleged
Despite the extensive contact, Crown Princess Mette-Marit has not been accused of any criminal wrongdoing in relation to Epstein. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre acknowledged the princess’s remorse and acceptance of responsibility, stating she regretted her contact with Epstein and should have checked his background more thoroughly. Global News reported on the Prime Minister’s statement.
Ongoing Scrutiny
The Crown Princess’s decision to speak publicly came after intense scrutiny and pressure to explain her relationship with Epstein. The interview occurred on the same day the criminal trial against her son, Marius Borg Høiby, concluded, where prosecutors sought a seven-year and seven-month prison sentence for charges of rape, domestic violence, and 38 other charges. A verdict is expected in early June. CBS News provides details on this concurrent legal matter.