Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit issued a public apology on Friday over her past friendship with the late American financier Jeffrey Epstein, who was convicted of sexual offenses, acknowledging the embarrassment it caused the Norwegian royal family.
In a statement released by the Royal Palace, the Crown Princess said: “I renew my apology for the situation in which I placed the royal family, especially the King and the Queen.”
The apology follows the release of new files related to Epstein by the U.S. Department of Justice last week.
The documents included numerous email exchanges between Mette-Marit and Epstein that reportedly continued even after his 2008 conviction for sexual crimes involving minors.
The renewed scrutiny has sparked debate in Norway, particularly after Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said on Monday that Mette-Marit and other prominent Norwegian figures whose names appeared in the newly released Epstein documents should provide further clarification regarding their alleged involvement.
Epstein, who died in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges, maintained ties with influential figures across politics, business, and royalty, connections that continue to surface through ongoing document releases.
The Norwegian Royal Court has not disclosed further details about the nature or duration of the Crown Princess’s relationship with Epstein, but the apology signals an effort to contain the fallout and reaffirm accountability amid growing public and political pressure.
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