Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit is facing renewed scrutiny after unsealed U.S. Justice Department documents revealed years of contact with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, placing the royal family under uncomfortable public attention at a sensitive moment.
The files, made public on Friday, reportedly contain nearly 1,000 mentions of the princess. According to Norwegian newspaper VG, the documents include numerous email exchanges between Mette-Marit and Epstein between 2011 and 2014, detailing what appears to be a friendly and sustained correspondence.
The revelations have reignited debate about Epstein’s network of high-profile acquaintances, years after his 2019 death in a New York jail while awaiting trial on charges of trafficking minors. His associations with prominent public figures have continued to generate controversy worldwide.
For Norway’s royal household, the timing is particularly delicate. Mette-Marit’s eldest son, Marius Borg Høiby, from a previous relationship, is set to stand trial in Oslo on 38 criminal charges, including rape, assault, and drug-related offenses. Høiby has denied the most serious accusations.
Prosecutors have said a conviction could carry a sentence of up to 16 years. The case has already attracted intense media coverage in Norway, where the monarchy remains a respected but closely watched institution.
In a statement addressing the newly surfaced documents, Mette-Marit acknowledged what she described as poor judgment. “I showed poor judgment and I deeply regret having had any contact with Epstein. It is simply embarrassing,” she said.
She also expressed sympathy for Epstein’s victims and admitted that she should have examined his background more thoroughly before maintaining communication. The statement sought to distance herself from any suggestion of wrongdoing.
The emails referenced in the documents suggest a warm rapport between the princess and Epstein. In one 2012 message, she described him as “very charming” and asked about using a provocative image as wallpaper for her teenage son. In other exchanges, she reportedly referred to him as “soft-hearted” and “such a sweetheart.”
The correspondence also mentioned travel plans, gifts, and social visits. One document noted that the princess stayed for four days at Epstein’s Palm Beach residence in 2013, although he was not present during her stay.
Mette-Marit said she ended written contact with Epstein in 2014. She explained that she felt he was attempting to leverage their association for his own purposes, prompting her to cut ties.
The Norwegian royal palace emphasized that the mere presence of emails in the files does not imply criminal conduct. Officials described the communications as personal interactions that occurred before the full extent of Epstein’s crimes became widely known.
Still, the disclosures have prompted questions about judgment and due diligence among public figures, especially members of royal families who are expected to maintain high ethical standards.
Meanwhile, attention is also focused on Høiby’s trial. The palace confirmed that neither Mette-Marit nor Crown Prince Haakon will attend the court proceedings, citing private commitments. The princess is expected to be away on a personal trip during the hearings.
Høiby does not hold a royal title and is not in the line of succession, a distinction the palace has underscored in recent statements. Officials have stressed that the case is strictly a legal matter for the courts.
“It is for the courts to consider this matter and reach a decision. We have no further comment,” the royal court said, reiterating its policy of non-interference.
Public reaction in Norway has been mixed. While some have expressed disappointment over the princess’s past associations, others have argued that the contacts predated many of the allegations against Epstein becoming widely understood.
The controversy nonetheless places additional strain on the monarchy’s public image, as it balances transparency with privacy. Norway’s royal family has traditionally enjoyed strong support, but scandals involving personal conduct can test that trust.
As both the document revelations and the trial unfold, the coming weeks are likely to keep the royal household in the spotlight, with questions lingering over accountability, judgment, and the lasting consequences of past associations.