Crown Princess Mette-Marit says she feels 鈥渕anipulated and deceived鈥� as she addresses long-standing questions about her connection to Jeffrey Epstein.
The Norwegian Crown Princess has publicly addressed her past association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein for the first time, describing the relationship as a serious error in judgement and expressing anger over the lack of justice for victims.
In an , recorded at Skaugum and published this week, the Crown Princess said she takes responsibility for not investigating Epstein more thoroughly.
鈥淚t is incredibly important for me to take responsibility for not checking his background more thoroughly, and for the fact that I was manipulated and deceived,鈥� she said.
Breaks Silence After Weeks Of Pressure
The interview follows weeks of scrutiny after newly released documents revealed extensive contact between Norway鈥檚 Crown Princess and Epstein between 2011 and 2014.
Mette-Marit said the delay in responding was due to a difficult period for her family and her ongoing health challenges. Her son from a previous marriage, Marius Borg H酶iby, is involved in a highly-publixized court case.
鈥淲e are a family that has been in a very demanding situation in recent weeks,鈥� she said.
Describes Friendship And Ending Contact
The Crown Princess explained she was introduced to Epstein through mutual contacts connected to international work on global health, at a time when she was engaged in such work herself.
She described the relationship as a friendship and rejected suggestions it had any other character.
Over time, however, she said she began to question his behaviour and character. She ultimately ended contact in 2014.
The interview also touched on previously reported email exchanges between the Crown Princess and Epstein that have attracted attention, including a light-hearted exchange about relationships in which she wrote that 鈥淪candinavians are better 鈥榳ife material鈥�.鈥�
Mette-Marit described the tone of such messages as informal and 鈥渂anter鈥� between friends, acknowledging that some of the wording now appears 鈥渃lumsy.鈥�
鈥淔elt Unsafe鈥� During U.S. Visit
Addressing a 2013 stay at Epstein鈥檚 property in Palm Beach, Mette-Marit said she experienced an incident that left her feeling unsafe.
鈥淗e put me in a situation that made me feel unsafe,鈥� she said, adding that she called Crown Prince Haakon at the time. She said she never witnessed illegal activity during her interactions with Epstein.
Regret And Responsibility
The Crown Princess repeatedly emphasised that she does not see herself as a victim in the situation, instead pointing to those harmed by Epstein.
鈥淭here is nothing to feel sorry for me in this situation. It is all the victims who have been subjected to these serious abuses who deserve justice,鈥� she said.
She also said she regrets not warning more people after she formed a negative view of him.
Political And Public Reaction
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr St酶re it was important that the Crown Princess had now responded publicly following weeks of scrutiny.
鈥淚t is important that the Crown Princess answers questions about her relationship with Jeffrey Epstein,鈥� he said, adding that openness is necessary to maintain trust in public institutions.
Norwegian commentators have suggested that some of the most difficult questions remain unanswered, particularly around what the Crown Princess may have known at the time.
At the same time, several political figures have emphasised that Mette-Marit appeared to take responsibility for her actions.
Venstre (Norway鈥檚 Liberal party) leader Guri Melby said it would ultimately be up to the public to judge whether the answers given were sufficient, while stressing the importance of continued openness from the Royal House.
A Difficult Moment For The Monarchy
The interview comes during a challenging period for Norway鈥檚 Royal Family, following declining public support in recent months.
Mette-Marit said she hopes the situation will not weaken trust in the monarchy over time and reaffirmed her belief in its role in Norwegian society.
She also pointed to her ongoing illness as a key factor affecting her ability to fulfil her duties.
Reflecting on the relationship, the Crown Princess was clear. 鈥淚 should of course wish that I had never met him,鈥� she said.
