Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit caught in Epstein scandal: years of emails and stays at his home spark royal crisis. 😲 #EpsteinFiles. th

Norway’s Crown Princess Faces Backlash Over Epstein Ties Revealed in Unsealed Files

By Europe Correspondent

Published in a global news outlet, March 2026

The release of millions of pages from Jeffrey Epstein-related documents by the U.S. Department of Justice on January 30, 2026, has thrust Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit into an unwelcome spotlight. The files, part of ongoing transparency efforts following Epstein’s 2019 death, contain extensive email correspondence between the princess and the convicted sex offender, spanning 2011 to 2014—years after his 2008 Florida conviction for soliciting a minor for prostitution.

Norwegian media, including VG and NRK, reported hundreds to over 1,000 mentions of Mette-Marit (born 1973, married to Crown Prince Haakon in 2001). The exchanges reveal a personal rapport: affectionate terms like “sweetheart” and “soft hearted,” compliments on Epstein’s charm, and lighthearted banter. In one 2011 message, Mette-Marit noted she had “Googled” him, adding “it didn’t look too good” with a smiling emoji—acknowledging his past while continuing contact. Another 2012 email saw her ask if it was “inappropriate for a mother to suggest two naked women carrying a surfboard for my 15 yr old sons wallpaper?” Epstein replied casually.

The documents confirm Mette-Marit stayed four days at Epstein’s Palm Beach, Florida, mansion in 2013, arranged through a mutual friend while Epstein was absent. Plans for meetings, dinners, and shopping appear repeatedly, though no evidence suggests she witnessed or participated in his crimes. The correspondence ended in 2014, predating Epstein’s 2019 federal sex-trafficking charges.

In early February 2026 statements from the Royal House, Mette-Marit expressed profound regret. “I deeply regret my friendship with Jeffrey Epstein,” she said, apologizing to those “disappointed” and acknowledging that some messages “do not represent the person I want to be.” She emphasized sympathy for victims and regret for the “situation” imposed on the monarchy, including King Harald V and Queen Sonja. The palace described her judgment as “poor” and noted her inability to elaborate fully amid family pressures—coinciding with her stepson Marius Borg Høiby’s trial on rape and assault charges in Oslo.

The revelations have sparked public dismay in Norway, a nation valuing egalitarian monarchy. Polls show mixed reactions: widespread disappointment over the ties, yet sustained support for the institution. Historians describe it as the most “scandalous” episode for the modern dynasty, amplified by the timing with Høiby’s legal troubles. Critics question how a future queen maintained contact post-conviction without deeper scrutiny, while defenders note no criminal implication and her prior 2019 regret statement.

Internationally, the story parallels scrutiny of other royals (e.g., Britain’s Prince Andrew, Sarah Ferguson) in Epstein files. No allegations of wrongdoing against Mette-Marit have surfaced; the exchanges appear social and advisory in tone, with Epstein occasionally offering cosmetic or travel suggestions. The palace has stressed her solidarity with victims and condemnation of Epstein’s acts.

The scandal highlights challenges for modern monarchies: navigating personal associations in an era of digital transparency. While the files provide no bombshells of complicity, they have eroded the “pristine” image of the crown princess—once a relatable commoner who overcame past controversies—and fueled calls for accountability. As Norway grapples with these revelations amid broader Epstein document releases, the monarchy’s response—apology without full explanation—has left some questions lingering, even as public outrage remains contained.