In a deeply personal television appearance, Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit has broken her seven-week silence regarding her connections to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The 52-year-old royal delivered a tearful account during a 20-minute interview with NRK, Norway’s national broadcaster, describing feelings of manipulation and deception in her interactions with Epstein.
The crown princess revealed extensive email correspondence spanning from 2011 to 2014, including a stay at Epstein’s Florida residence while he was absent. ‘I feel so manipulated, and when you are manipulated, you don’t realise it from the start,’ she stated, frequently appearing emotionally overwhelmed during the conversation. Seated beside her husband, Crown Prince Haakon, Mette-Marit emphasized her acceptance of responsibility for insufficient background checks while maintaining she was unaware of Epstein’s criminal status as a convicted abuser.
The interview followed intense public pressure and scrutiny from Norwegian leadership, including Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, demanding explanations about the royal’s associations. Despite her contrite tone, some responses appeared defensive, particularly regarding her 2013 stay at Epstein’s Palm Beach property, which she attributed to an unnamed mutual acquaintance.
Mette-Marit recounted an unsettling incident during her Florida visit that prompted her to contact her husband, describing feelings of discomfort and insecurity. Crown Prince Haakon confirmed recalling the distress in his wife’s voice during that phone call. Remarkably, the princess continued communications with Epstein for some time following this episode, attributing this to her inherently trusting nature.
The timing of the interview coincided with the conclusion of her son Marius Borg Høiby’s rape trial, suggesting strategic scheduling to avoid overlapping media attention. With verdicts expected in June, the crown princess evidently awaited the trial’s completion before addressing her Epstein connections publicly.
Questions regarding her future royal capabilities emerged during the conversation, particularly given her ongoing battle with pulmonary fibrosis. The princess acknowledged that her serious health condition would ultimately determine her capacity to fulfill royal duties alongside her husband. Crown Prince Haakon reinforced their united front, describing their royal journey as ‘our project, which we’re doing together’ after more than 25 years of marriage.