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Prime Minister echoes Crown Princess's regrets
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre has aligned himself with Crown Princess Mette-Marit's admission of "poor judgement" following revelations of her extensive communications with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The statement comes as her son faces trial in Oslo on multiple charges, including rape and assault.
Hundreds of contacts revealed in U.S. files
Documents released by the U.S. Department of Justice show the princess appeared in Epstein's records hundreds of times between 2011 and 2014. In a statement issued Saturday, Mette-Marit acknowledged her missteps, calling her interactions with Epstein "simply embarrassing" and expressing regret for any contact.
She also extended "deep sympathy and solidarity with the victims" of Epstein's crimes.
Unusual criticism from political leadership
Støre's remarks, while measured, mark a rare instance of a sitting prime minister implicitly rebuking a member of the royal family. He also labeled former Prime Minister Thorbjørn Jagland's planned-but later canceled-family trip to Epstein's private island as another example of "poor judgement."
Correspondence details spark outrage
The newly released files include evidence of a four-day stay by the princess at Epstein's Palm Beach residence in January 2013. One email from her official account asked Epstein whether a mother should suggest "naked women carrying a surfboard" as wallpaper for her son. Another message suggested she was aware of Epstein's 2008 jail sentence.
Norwegian commentators have reacted with dismay, questioning how the princess failed to recognize the risks of maintaining ties with Epstein and the role her advisers may have played.
Royal family faces mounting scrutiny
The controversy adds to a series of recent scandals involving Norway's monarchy, including the marriage of Crown Prince Haakon's sister, Princess Märtha Louise, to an American self-proclaimed shaman. Meanwhile, the crown princess is battling pulmonary fibrosis and is reportedly preparing for a lung transplant.
Son's trial begins amid family turmoil
Mette-Marit's 29-year-old son, Marius Borg Høiby-who is not part of the royal family-denies 38 charges, including rape involving intercourse with a sleeping woman and assaults on incapacitated victims. Under Norwegian law, the latter also qualifies as rape. A conviction could result in a minimum 10-year prison sentence.
The trial opens Tuesday at Oslo District Court, with no royal family members expected to attend. In a statement last week, Crown Prince Haakon expressed support for those affected by the case, calling it "a difficult time for many," while affirming Høiby's importance to their family.
