Mette-Marit has publicly expressed deep regret over her past friendship with Jeffrey Epstein, admitting she should have ended the relationship sooner and warning others about him, in a rare and emotional interview with Norwegian broadcaster NRK. The interview marks her first detailed response since newly released U.S. Justice Department files brought renewed scrutiny to her past connection with Epstein.
Speaking candidly, the Crown Princess said she felt “manipulated and deceived” by Epstein and took responsibility for not investigating his background more thoroughly. She acknowledged that her association may have unintentionally lent him legitimacy, a realization she described as deeply troubling, particularly in light of the abuse suffered by his victims. Fighting back tears, she emphasized that justice for those victims remains paramount and expressed anger that many have yet to receive it.
The revelations come after documents released earlier this year highlighted the extent of contact between the two from 2011 to 2014, years after Epstein’s 2008 conviction. Mette-Marit disclosed that she stayed briefly at his residence in Palm Beach in 2013, a decision she now views with regret. While she maintained she never witnessed illegal activity, she described feeling uncomfortable during the visit and recalled an incident that made her feel unsafe, prompting her to contact her husband, Haakon.
She explained that her eventual decision to cut ties with Epstein in 2014 came after a series of troubling interactions and growing doubts about his character. However, she acknowledged that she continued contact longer than she should have, partly due to mutual acquaintances and her own tendency to trust people. Reflecting on that period, she said she now recognizes signs of manipulation that were not immediately clear at the time.
The interview also touched on embarrassing email exchanges that surfaced in the document release, which she described as inappropriate and not reflective of her values. She admitted feeling personally and publicly challenged by the exposure of those communications, particularly as she navigated a demanding period in her royal role.
Beyond the Epstein controversy, the Crown Princess addressed ongoing personal difficulties, including her deteriorating health due to chronic pulmonary fibrosis, which has limited her public appearances. She also spoke about the strain on her family as her son, Marius Borg Høiby, faces a high-profile legal trial involving multiple serious charges, all of which he denies.
The convergence of these issues has placed Norway’s royal family under intense scrutiny in recent months. Mette-Marit described the period as deeply demanding, balancing her responsibilities as a public figure with her role as a mother and her ongoing health struggles. Her remarks offer a rare glimpse into the personal toll behind the headlines, as she attempts to reconcile past decisions with present realities.
