**Oslo, Norway** – Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway has finally addressed her past interactions with the late American financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, breaking seven weeks of public silence. In a candid interview with the Norwegian public broadcaster NRK, the Crown Princess articulated a profound sense of regret and betrayal, stating she felt "manipulated and deceived" by Epstein, and expressed a wish that she had never encountered him.
The revelations concerning the Crown Princess's association with Epstein, which spanned from 2011 to 2014, emerged in Norway following the extensive release of Epstein's files by the US Department of Justice earlier this year. These documents illuminated the extent of her correspondence, including hundreds of emails exchanged with the convicted sex offender and a stay at his Florida residence. The timing of this disclosure has cast a significant shadow, particularly given Epstein's 2008 conviction for soliciting underage sex.
In her extensive interview, the Crown Princess openly acknowledged her "poor judgement" in not conducting a more thorough background investigation into Epstein's activities. She admitted to having performed a cursory internet search on Epstein in 2011 after an initial email exchange, a search that yielded information she described as "didn't look too good." This admission underscores a critical lapse in due diligence, especially considering the widely publicised nature of Epstein's illicit activities by that point.
The pressure on the Norwegian royal household to provide a comprehensive explanation for these connections mounted considerably in recent weeks. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre has also been under scrutiny regarding the government's awareness and handling of the situation. The Crown Princess's decision to speak publicly appears to be a strategic move to confront the mounting public concern and to reclaim narrative control.
Her statements aimed to convey a clear message of accountability, while simultaneously distancing herself from Epstein's criminal enterprise. She emphasised that she wished she had "never met him," a sentiment that highlights the profound negative impact of the association. Crucially, the Crown Princess also pivoted the conversation towards the victims, asserting that they "deserve justice," a statement likely intended to resonate with a public increasingly focused on accountability and redress for those harmed by Epstein and his associates.
The interview, lasting approximately 20 minutes, provided the Crown Princess with a platform to articulate her feelings of being a victim of manipulation herself, a common defence mechanism employed by individuals who became entangled with Epstein. While her acknowledgement of poor judgement and regret is a significant step, the full ramifications of these revelations for the Norwegian monarchy and public perception remain to be seen. The narrative has now shifted, focusing not only on the Crown Princess's past associations but also on the broader societal imperative to ensure justice for Epstein's victims and to prevent such exploitative networks from continuing to operate.