Apology from Crown Princess Mette-Marit
Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit has issued a
"profound apology"to the Norwegian public regarding her friendship with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. This apology follows revelations that the two exchanged messages over a period of three years.
In a statement released by the palace after several days of increasing public pressure, she stated:
"I also apologise for the situation in which I have placed the Royal House, especially the King and Queen."
King Harald V and Queen Sonja, both aged 88, have not publicly commented on the matter.
The King met with Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre on Friday, accompanied by Crown Prince Haakon. The Crown Prince later informed reporters that his wife wished to address the issue but was currently unable to do so, adding,
"But right now she can't, and I also tell her she is not allowed to."
Details of the Epstein Correspondence
Hundreds of emails exchanged between Epstein and the Crown Princess from 2011 to 2014 were uncovered in a set of files published by the US Department of Justice a week prior. Some of these communications suggest plans for in-person meetings and reveal that Mette-Marit spent four days at Epstein's Palm Beach residence in Florida during a period when he was not present.
The tone of the correspondence was unexpectedly warm, which has surprised many Norwegians. The Crown Princess appeared to be aware of Epstein's criminal history, as evidenced by a message she sent in October 2011 stating,
"Googled u after last email. Agree didn't look too good."
Following an initial statement last Saturday in which she expressed regret and admitted to
"poor judgement,"the palace faced calls to provide more detailed information about the extent of her acquaintance with Epstein.
On Friday, the palace issued a further statement indicating that the Crown Princess was deeply saddened by her failure to recognize earlier the true nature of Epstein's character. She expressed a desire to offer a more comprehensive explanation but cited being in a
"very difficult situation"and needing time to
"gather herself."
She added,
"It is important for me to say I am sorry to all those I have disappointed. Some of the content in the messages between Epstein and me does not represent the person I want to be."
Family Background and Related Legal Proceedings
Mette-Marit had a son, Marius Borg Høiby, from a previous brief relationship before marrying Norway's Crown Prince Haakon in 2001. Marius, now 29 years old, is currently at the center of a high-profile seven-week trial that commenced this week. He faces 38 charges, including four counts of rape, all of which he denies.
Although Marius is not a public figure nor a formal member of the royal family, he has been raised within Crown Prince Haakon's family alongside his half-sister Princess Ingrid Alexandra and half-brother Prince Sverre Magnus.
The Crown Princess has not publicly commented on the trial. However, Crown Prince Haakon told reporters in Oslo that there has been much happening within the family recently, emphasizing that the priority over the past few days
"has been to take care of the flock."
He further stated,
"We support Marius in the situation he is in. We look after the other children as well... They also need to be cared for, and I have to make sure to take care of the crown princess."
Mette-Marit is also seriously ill with pulmonary fibrosis, and her medical team is preparing to place her on a waiting list for a lung transplant.
Trial and Public Reactions
During testimony in court on Wednesday, Marius initially struggled to maintain composure, appearing tearful as he described being
"hassled"by the media since the age of three.
If convicted by the three judges at Oslo District Court, he could face a prison sentence of at least ten years. Two days prior to the trial's start, he was arrested for a fourth time on Sunday on suspicion of assault, carrying a knife, and violating a restraining order.
His half-sister, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, aged 22 and second in line to the Norwegian throne after their father, also criticized the press in a post to nearly 800 followers on a private Instagram account this week.
In extensive comments viewed by public broadcasters NRK, Aftenposten, and VG, the princess stressed the importance of avoiding unfounded accusations. She clarified that she was not referring to any specific individual, stating,
"not Marius, not mum or dad or Magnus. It's about personal attacks, it can apply to anyone, but I chose to post this here because I'm going crazy. Enough is enough."
When contacted by the BBC, the palace declined to comment further on the matter.
