Norway's Crown Princess Apologizes for Epstein Ties

Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit has broken her silence on her relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, stating that she was 'manipulated and deceived' by him. She expressed regret for not checking his background more carefully and for being too trusting. The princess had exchanged hundreds of emails with Epstein between 2011 and 2014 and stayed in his Florida home. She maintained that she didn't know about Epstein's sex offenses, despite a Wikipedia article at the time describing him as a convicted abuser. The interview comes amid intense scrutiny and pressure, including from Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, and as her son's rape trial nears its verdict.

Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit has given an interview to Norwegian broadcaster NRK, addressing her ties to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. She stated that she felt 'manipulated and deceived' by Epstein during a 2013 encounter at his Palm Beach mansion, which made her feel unsafe. Mette-Marit apologized for the situation she put the royal family in and expressed guilt for Epstein's victims. She also revealed that she didn't know about Epstein's crimes and only interacted with adults when she met him. The interview comes as her son, Marius Borg Høiby, is on trial for rape allegations.

Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit has spoken out about her friendship with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, expressing regret and stating she was 'manipulated and deceived.' Newly released documents revealed a more extensive relationship between the two than previously known, including frequent communication from 2011 to 2014 and a visit to Epstein's Palm Beach house in 2013. The crown princess apologized for not investigating Epstein's past and claimed she would have ended contact had she known the severity of his crimes. Her husband, Crown Prince Haakon, expressed support for her during the difficult time. The revelation has impacted the popularity of Norway's royal family, with a recent survey showing a decline in support for the monarchy.