Crown Princess Mette-Marit discusses her ties to Epstein, claiming manipulation and ignorance of his crimes amid newly released documents.
Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit said in a Friday interview with public broadcaster NRK that she was manipulated by the late U.S. financier Jeffrey Epstein. She expressed regret for meeting him and stated, "I was manipulated and deceived." Mette-Marit, the wife of Crown Prince Haakon, emphasized that she has not been accused of any criminal wrongdoing.
In the interview, Mette-Marit insisted she did not personally observe any illegal activities during her interactions with Epstein. She explained that Epstein exploited their mutual acquaintance and her trusting nature, adding, "I like to believe the best about people. But I chose to end contact with him." Her comments followed the release of documents by the U.S. Justice Department showing she corresponded with Epstein from 2011 to 2014 and stayed at his Palm Beach residence for four days in 2014.
Context of Epstein's Conviction and Ties
Epstein was convicted in 2008 of soliciting prostitution from a minor and served 13 months in jail. He died in prison in August 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, in what authorities ruled a suicide. Mette-Marit maintained in the interview that she was unaware of his 2008 conviction at the time, though a 2011 email she sent to Epstein mentioned that googling him "didn't look too good," followed by a smiley face; she claimed not to remember the context.
The interview comes amid renewed scrutiny from the so-called "Epstein files," which have revealed ties between Epstein and several prominent figures in Norway. Norway's parliament has requested an inquiry into the foreign ministry's links to Epstein, and police are investigating former Prime Minister Thorbjorn Jagland for aggravated corruption related to his dealings with the financier.
Mette-Marit also addressed her son Marius Borg Hoiby's legal troubles during the interview, describing it as a difficult situation for her family. Hoiby faces charges of rape, domestic abuse, reckless driving, and drug-related offenses, with prosecutors alleging some victims were unconscious. This adds to the personal challenges for Mette-Marit, who has been dealing with a chronic lung illness that deteriorated as noted by the Royal Court in December 2025.
While Mette-Marit previously apologized for her Epstein ties in 2019, the recent document releases have prompted her latest statements. She reiterated her regret, saying, "Of course, I wish I had never met him." These developments highlight ongoing repercussions from Epstein's network in international circles.
