Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit has issued a renewed apology to King Harald V and Queen Sonja over her past friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, as fresh revelations intensify scrutiny of the Norwegian royal family.
In a statement released by the royal palace on Friday, the crown Princess said she regretted the distress her actions had caused the monarchy.
“I also apologise for the situation that I have put the royal family in, especially the King and Queen,” Mette-Marit said.
The apology follows the release of new files by the US Justice Department last week, which included extensive email correspondence between Mette-Marit and Epstein after he was convicted of child sex crimes in 2008. The documents have reignited public debate in Norway and across Europe over Epstein’s connections with high-profile figures.
Mette-Marit, who is married to Crown Prince Haakon, heir to the Norwegian throne, has previously acknowledged that she exercised poor judgment by maintaining contact with Epstein after his conviction.
Norway’s Prime Minister earlier this week said that Mette-Marit and other prominent Norwegians named in the newly released documents should provide greater clarity about the nature of their interactions with Epstein.
The controversy comes at a difficult time for Norway’s monarchy, which is already facing multiple challenges. Marius Borg Høiby, Mette-Marit’s son from a relationship prior to her marriage into the royal family, is currently standing trial on charges of rape and domestic violence.
The unfolding scandals have placed increased pressure on the royal household, which has traditionally enjoyed strong public support in the Nordic country.
