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Norwegian Crown Princess Reveals Unsettling Epstein Connection
Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit has admitted she was manipulated and deceived by the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, describing an encounter at his Palm Beach mansion in 2013 that left her feeling unsafe.
In a rare 20-minute interview with Norwegian broadcaster NRK on Thursday, Mette-Marit and her husband Crown Prince Haakon addressed the controversy surrounding her relationship with Epstein. The interview coincided with the conclusion of a criminal trial against her son from a previous relationship, Marius Borg Høiby, who faces serious rape allegations which he denies.
This marks the first time the royal couple has publicly addressed the fallout over the crown princess’s ties to Epstein, which have raised questions about her judgment. While she is not accused of any wrongdoing, the relationship has created uncomfortable scrutiny for the Norwegian royal family.
Mette-Marit, who suffers from pulmonary fibrosis causing serious breathing problems that limited the interview’s duration, first met Epstein in 2011. Their contact continued until 2014, a relationship documented in the recently released “Epstein files” which contained hundreds of mentions of the crown princess.
“I didn’t know he was a sex offender and abuser,” she told NRK. “I only saw him interact with adults and never witnessed anything illegal.” Nevertheless, she expressed guilt regarding Epstein’s victims and acknowledged spending years processing the revelations about his criminal behavior.
Epstein died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial on charges of sexually abusing underage girls at his properties in the United States. The crown princess admitted she failed to properly research Epstein’s background before establishing a relationship with him.
The Epstein files revealed email exchanges suggesting a friendly relationship between the two. In one message, Mette-Marit wrote to Epstein that he “tickled her brain,” indicating intellectual engagement. Another exchange showed Epstein writing in October 2012 that he was in Paris “on my wife hunt,” to which Mette-Marit replied that Paris was “good for adultery” but “Scandis” were “better wife material.”
The documents also revealed that Mette-Marit borrowed an Epstein-owned property in Palm Beach, Florida, for several days in 2013. She explained that this stay was arranged through a mutual friend, and it was during this visit that the unsettling encounter occurred, prompting her to call her husband back in Norway.
Though she declined to provide details about the incident during the interview, she attributed her continued contact with Epstein to being gullible and manipulated by the financier, who was known for cultivating relationships with powerful and influential people across the globe.
The crown princess had previously apologized in 2019 for the position in which she had placed the royal family through her association with Epstein. The Norwegian monarchy, like many European royal houses, maintains high approval ratings by avoiding scandal and controversy, making this episode particularly challenging for the institution.
The timing of the interview is notable as it comes during a difficult period for the royal family. The ongoing case against her son Marius Borg Høiby has put additional pressure on Mette-Marit, with prosecutors seeking a prison sentence of seven years and seven months. A verdict in that case is expected in early June.
Royal observers note that Mette-Marit’s willingness to address the Epstein connection publicly represents an attempt at transparency, though questions will likely persist about the extent of their relationship and her judgment in maintaining contact with him despite growing rumors about his behavior before his eventual arrest.
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14 Comments
The Crown Princess’s admission of being manipulated by Epstein is a sobering reminder of his ability to exploit even the powerful and influential. Hopefully this leads to greater scrutiny of his network.
Yes, Epstein’s connections to the elite clearly ran deep. This case highlights the need for robust accountability measures, even at the highest levels of society.
Interesting to see how the Norwegian royals handle this Epstein scandal. Transparency and a full accounting of the facts will be crucial to maintaining public confidence.
Agreed. The royal family needs to demonstrate they take this issue seriously and are committed to addressing it responsibly.
The Crown Princess’s ties to Epstein raise serious questions about her judgment. While she denies wrongdoing, the relationship has clearly caused a damaging scandal for the Norwegian royal family.
I agree, the revelations are very concerning. The royals will need to work hard to regain public trust on this issue.
It’s commendable that the Crown Princess is addressing this head-on, despite the challenges of her health condition. Openness and accountability are important, even for high-profile figures.
Indeed, it takes courage to speak publicly about such a sensitive matter. Kudos to her for facing it directly.
While the Crown Princess’s Epstein ties are concerning, I appreciate her willingness to address them openly. Transparency is crucial, even when it’s uncomfortable.
Agreed. Addressing such sensitive issues head-on, despite the personal and political risks, demonstrates leadership and integrity.
Troubling to hear the Crown Princess was manipulated and deceived by Epstein. Glad she’s addressing this controversy openly, though it must be difficult. Hoping the royal family can move forward in a transparent and ethical manner.
Yes, it’s a complex situation that requires careful handling. Transparency and accountability are key, though this can’t be easy for the royals.
The Crown Princess’s Epstein connection is a stark reminder of how far-reaching his web of influence extended. This case underscores the importance of rigorous background checks and due diligence, even for the elite.
Absolutely. The Epstein saga has revealed deeply troubling vulnerabilities in how the powerful and privileged are vetted and held accountable.