Ask Onix
Crown Princess Mette-Marit breaks silence on Epstein association
Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit has publicly expressed deep regret over her past relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, calling the experience deeply manipulative. In a candid interview with national broadcaster NRK, she stated she wished she had never met him.
Emotional admission of manipulation
Mette-Marit, often visibly distressed during the 20-minute conversation, described feeling deceived by Epstein. "I feel so manipulated, and when you are manipulated, you don't realize it from the start," she said. The revelation of their extensive contact-including hundreds of emails between 2011 and 2014 and a stay at his Florida home-surfaced in late January after U.S. authorities released millions of Epstein's files.
"It is incredibly important for me to take responsibility for not checking his background more carefully," she added. "And to take responsibility for being so manipulated and deceived as I was."
Defensive responses amid scrutiny
Under mounting public and political pressure, including from Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, Mette-Marit addressed criticism but offered limited details. She maintained she was unaware of Epstein's criminal history, despite a 2011 email where she acknowledged Googling him after an exchange and noting his reputation "didn't look too good."
When pressed about her lack of awareness, she replied, "I can't remember this; it was 15 years ago." She also defended her decision to stay at Epstein's Palm Beach home in 2013, attributing it to an unnamed mutual acquaintance. "Epstein was a close friend of a good friend of mine," she explained.
Unease and lingering contact
Mette-Marit disclosed feeling "unsafe" during her final day at Epstein's residence, prompting a call to her husband, Crown Prince Haakon. He confirmed the incident in the interview, recalling her distress. Despite this, she continued contact with Epstein for some time afterward, citing her trusting nature. "I am overly trusting, I tend to think the best of people," she said. "But I also chose to end all direct contact with him."
Health and future role in question
The interview coincided with the final day of her son Marius Borg Høiby's rape trial, which began in early February. A verdict is expected in June. Mette-Marit, who suffers from pulmonary fibrosis, acknowledged her health could determine her ability to remain in her royal duties.
"I live with a serious illness. That is the very thing that decides whether in fact I can continue to perform in the role I hold, or not."
Crown Princess Mette-Marit
She expressed a desire to support her husband's future as king but emphasized her condition would dictate her capacity. Crown Prince Haakon affirmed their partnership, calling it "our project, which we're doing together."
Focus on Epstein's victims
Throughout the interview, Mette-Marit redirected attention to Epstein's victims, expressing anger over their unresolved pursuit of justice. "It is they who deserve justice for the great abuse they have suffered," she said.
