Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit has publicly expressed her regret over her past association with the late Jeffrey Epstein, a connection that has drawn renewed scrutiny following the release of documents by the U.S. Department of Justice. In a revealing interview with the Norwegian broadcaster NRK on March 19, 2026, the Crown Princess shared her feelings of manipulation and sorrow regarding her ties to Epstein, particularly emphasising the impact of his actions on victims of abuse.
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During the candid conversation, which took place in her royal residence at Skaugum, the 52-year-old spoke emotionally about the friendship and the light it has shed on her personal reflections. “It is incredibly important for me to take responsibility for not checking his background more carefully. And to take responsibility for being so manipulated and deceived as I was,” she stated, highlighting her journey of grappling with the implications of being associated with Epstein.
Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s connection with Epstein reportedly lasted from 2011 until 2014, a period that followed his conviction for soliciting prostitution, including from a minor, in 2008. His eventual death in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges further complicated public perception of those associated with him, including Mette-Marit.
In the interview, the Crown Princess expressed her profound anger that Epstein’s victims have not received justice, stating, “There is no blame on me in this situation. It is all the victims who have been subjected to the gross abuses who deserve justice.” She also conveyed her emotional turmoil regarding the legitimacy her association may have granted Epstein, acknowledging that it has been “terribly difficult” for her personally to reconcile these feelings since the revelations surfaced.
Mette-Marit recounted a specific experience at Epstein’s Palm Beach residence in January 2013 that contributed to her eventual decision to end their friendship. She described feeling insecure and uncomfortable during her visit, which ultimately led her to contact her husband, Crown Prince Haakon. “When he arrived on the last day of our stay in Palm Beach, he put me in a situation that made me so insecure that I called Haakon’s house,” she recalled, noting that this uncomfortable encounter marked a decisive moment in her relationship with Epstein.
Epstein, who was introduced to her through mutual acquaintances involved in global health, made a lasting, though troubling, impression on Mette-Marit. She indicated that she was initially unaware of the extent of his manipulative nature, but personal experiences and insights from others eventually compelled her to cut ties, stating, “I experienced him as caring towards this friend. That probably made me stay in touch with him longer than I wanted to.”
The Crown Princess further discussed the fallout of emails that recently emerged within the DOJ documents, which included comments she made at a time when she was feeling vulnerable. She acknowledged the “sordid” nature of some of these exchanges, remarking, “It is a ‘banter’ between friends… I was very, very wrong there,” underscoring how she felt misled in her perception of Epstein.
In light of her health struggles, Mette-Marit’s appearance in the interview was particularly poignant. The Crown Princess has been battling chronic pulmonary fibrosis, a condition that has necessitated significant rest and management. Recent developments in her family’s circumstances—specifically, her son Marius Borg Høiby facing serious legal challenges—have compounded the stress she has been experiencing.
Mette-Marit acknowledged the profound emotional difficulties that both she and her family have faced recently, stating, “We are a family that has been in a very demanding situation in recent weeks. For us, the focus has been primarily on the family.” She stressed her role as a mother, amidst ongoing health issues that further complicate her ability to offer support during this turbulent time.
Ultimately, Mette-Marit seems committed to reassessing her past actions and the extent of her connections. “I regret and have thought a lot about the fact that I should have told more people that he was a bad person,” she concluded, reaffirming her intention to reflect deeply on her experiences and the lessons learned. This interview marks a pivotal moment for the Crown Princess in her effort to transparently navigate the consequences of her previous associations.