Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre has stated that he agrees with Crown Princess Mette-Marit's admission of 'poor judgement' after it was revealed she had numerous contacts with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The princess is mentioned extensively in newly released documents from the US Department of Justice regarding Epstein, showing frequent communication between 2011 and 2014. This development comes just before her son's upcoming trial in Oslo on 38 charges, including rape and assault.
Mette-Marit, who married Crown Prince Haakon as a commoner, acknowledged her regrettable connections with Epstein following the emergence of email exchanges that implied a warm rapport. In her statement, she expressed embarrassment and solidarity with Epstein's victims.
Prime Minister Støre's approval of the princess's admission was notable and implied a level of criticism that is rare in royal family matters. He also referenced former Prime Minister Thorbjørn Jagland's previous poor judgement in planning a trip to Epstein’s private island, which he later canceled.
The correspondence indicates Mette-Marit visited Epstein's Palm Beach residence in January 2013 and has since appalled critics, especially as she failed to recognize the implications of her association with a known sex offender.
With her son Marius Borg Høiby currently facing criminal proceedings, scrutiny over the Crown Princess's decision to maintain any contact with Epstein raises questions about her advisers and their influence.
As Mette-Marit battles pulmonary fibrosis and prepares for a possible lung transplant, the royal family is navigating multiple scandals, including Princess Märtha Louise's controversial marriage to an American shaman. The upcoming trial is expected to overshadow royal engagements, with no family members attending.
Crown Prince Haakon, however, extended support for his stepson, stating that he remains a valued member of the family in light of the ongoing legal situation.
