The Norwegian Crown Princess apologizes to those who were “disappointed” by her contacts with Epstein

OSLO, Norway (AP) — Norway’s crown princess apologized Friday for the situation she has placed the royal family in as she faces scrutiny over her contacts with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, part of a broader apology to all those she has “disappointed.”

Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s contacts and contacts with Epstein have come into the spotlight over the past week, adding to the embarrassment for members of the royal family as her son goes on trial in Oslo on multiple charges including rape accusations.

Read more: A timeline of the Jeffrey Epstein investigation and the fight to make government files public

Norwegian media reported that Epstein’s files contained several hundred references to the Crown Prince, who said in 2019 that she regretted her contact with Epstein.

The documents, which include an exchange of emails, showed that Mette-Marit borrowed a property owned by Epstein in Palm Beach, Florida, for several days in 2013. Broadcaster NRK reported that the stay was arranged through a mutual friend, which the royal family later confirmed.

The Royal Palace said on Friday that Mette-Marit wants to talk about what happened and explain herself in more detail, but is unable to do so at the present time. She added that she is in a very difficult situation and “hopes that she will understand that she needs time to collect her thoughts.”

She also issued a statement from the Crown Prince – her second in a week – in which she affirmed her deep regret for her past friendship with Epstein.

“It is important for me to apologize to all of you who I have disappointed,” she said. “Some of the content of the messages between me and Epstein does not represent the person I want to be. I also apologize for the situation I have put the royal family in, especially the King and Queen.”

King Harald, 88, and members of the royal family are generally popular in Norway, but the case against Mette-Marit’s son, Marius Borg Høby, has been a problem for the family’s image since 2024 and the latest Epstein files have exacerbated that. Mette-Marit is married to Crown Prince Haakon, heir to the throne.

The release of the documents included an email from Mette-Marit to Epstein in November 2012 asking: “Is it inappropriate for a mother to suggest two naked women holding a surfboard for my 15-year-old son’s wallpaper?”

“Let them decide,” he replied, advising the mother to “stay out of it.”

Mette-Marit, 52, said in a statement issued shortly after the files were published that she “must take responsibility for not investigating Epstein’s background more thoroughly, and for not realizing the type of person he was sooner.” She added: “I showed poor judgment and regret any contact with Epstein at all. It is simply embarrassing.”

The Crown Princess is not the only high-profile Norwegian facing unflattering attention over documents related to millionaire financier and sex offender Epstein released by the US Department of Justice.

Read more: The son of the Crown Prince of Norway was arrested on new charges a day before his trial on rape charges

Norway’s Economic Crimes Investigation Service, a mixed unit of police and prosecutors, said on Thursday it would look into whether former Prime Minister Thorbjörn Jagland received gifts, travel or loans in connection with his positions.

Jagland was Prime Minister of Norway between 1996 and 1997. He also chaired the Norwegian Nobel Prize Committee and was Secretary General of the European Council.

The files revealed years of contact between the politician and Epstein. Emails indicate that he planned to visit Epstein’s island with his family in 2014, when he was head of the Nobel Committee, and Epstein’s assistant was organizing the flights.

Norwegian authorities are also looking to lift Jagland’s immunity, which he enjoys due to his past as a diplomat. His legal representative told Norwegian broadcaster NRK that Jagland was cooperating with the investigation.

The World Economic Forum also announced on Thursday that it would open an internal review of its CEO Borg Brende to determine his relationship with Epstein, after files indicated they dined together several times and exchanged letters. Brende was Norway’s Foreign Minister from 2013 to 2017.

He told NRK that he was cooperating with the investigation, that he had only met Epstein at work and was not aware of Epstein’s criminal background.

Epstein committed suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial on charges of sexually assaulting underage girls at his homes in the United States.