Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre stated he concurs with Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s assessment of having exercised "poor judgement" following disclosures of extensive communication with the late Jeffrey Epstein. The Princess’s correspondence, detailed across hundreds of entries between 2011 and 2014 in files released by the US Department of Justice, has caused significant political discomfort.
The Crown Princess issued a statement taking responsibility, expressing regret for any interaction with Epstein and conveying "deep sympathy and solidarity with the victims of the abuses committed by Jeffrey Epstein." This admission of fault from a senior royal is unusual, although the Prime Minister limited his comment to supporting her self-assessment.
Further context revealed that former Prime Minister Thorbjørn Jagland also exercised "poor judgement" for initially planning a family trip to Epstein's private island, which he subsequently cancelled. Mr. Jagland is reportedly expected to release a formal statement addressing the matter on Monday.
The released correspondence, noted by commentators in Norway, showed a warm tone, beginning in autumn 2011 when Epstein was already a registered sex offender following his 2008 conviction. The Princess reportedly acknowledged looking up his history after their initial exchange, noting that his record "didn't look too good."
Records indicate the Crown Princess spent four days at Epstein's Palm Beach residence in January 2013, although Epstein himself was reportedly not present during that specific visit. Furthermore, emails suggested inquiries from her side regarding potentially inappropriate imagery for her son's room wallpaper.
This latest controversy compounds recent issues for the Norwegian monarchy, which has already navigated challenges, including the controversial marriage of Crown Prince Haakon's sister, Princess Märtha Louise. These new revelations directly concern the standing of the future Queen and the institution's advisory structure.
These developments run parallel to the impending trial of the Crown Princess’s son, Marius Borg Høiby, who is not a working royal but faces 38 charges including rape and assault, with potential sentencing exceeding ten years if convicted. No senior members of the Royal House are expected to attend the Oslo district court proceedings.
While the monarchy expresses sympathy for victims through Crown Prince Haakon, questions persist regarding the judgment of royal advisers and the Crown Princess's failure to recognize the toxic nature of maintaining ties with Epstein. The Crown Princess is currently managing pulmonary fibrosis, requiring potential lung transplant consideration.
