Mette-Marit has said she was “manipulated” by convicted US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, as she addressed their controversial relationship in a televised interview.
Speaking to Norway’s public broadcaster, she expressed regret over their association, which has drawn scrutiny following the release of documents by the US Department of Justice earlier this year.
“Of course I wish I had never met him,” she said, adding, “It is extremely important for me to acknowledge that I did not look into his past more carefully, and also to acknowledge that I was manipulated and deceived to such an extent.”
The Crown Princess, who married Haakon in 2001, insisted that her connection with Epstein was purely platonic.
“It was a friendly relationship: above all, he was a friend to me. But if your question is whether the relationship had another nature, the answer is no,” she said.
Epstein, who pleaded guilty in 2008 to soliciting a minor and died in 2019 while awaiting trial for sex trafficking, has remained at the centre of global controversy.
Email exchanges previously published in Norwegian media revealed casual and, at times, controversial communication between the pair. In one instance, the Crown Princess wrote that she had “googled” Epstein and that “it didn’t look too good,” ending the message with a smiley emoji.
During the interview, she said she could not recall that specific message, while describing the tone of their correspondence as part of a “friendship” she now finds “embarrassing.”
She also confirmed that she eventually ended the relationship after several unspecified incidents, noting that she had felt uneasy at some point. Her husband, Crown Prince Haakon, who appeared alongside her, supported this account, stating she had felt “a little unsafe.”
“I’m not the one to feel sorry for,” the princess said. “It’s all the victims who’ve been subjected to these serious abuses who deserve justice.”
The interview marks her first public remarks since the extent of her contact with Epstein became widely known in January, sparking debate in Norway about her future as queen.
The 52-year-old royal is also dealing with personal challenges, including ongoing legal issues involving her son, Marius Borg Hoiby, and her own battle with a chronic lung disease.
Despite the controversy, she expressed commitment to her royal duties and support for her husband, saying she hopes to continue serving “if my health permits.”
What you should know
The Crown Princess’s admission comes amid renewed scrutiny of individuals linked to Jeffrey Epstein following document releases.
While she maintains the relationship was non-romantic, the revelations have raised public concern in Norway about judgment and royal accountability. Her response seeks to clarify her position while acknowledging regret and responsibility.
The issue also intersects with broader debates about the monarchy’s future, public trust, and the handling of past associations with controversial figures.
