Crown Princess Mette-Marit has provided a widely anticipated interview concerning her past interactions with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The conversation is scheduled for broadcast by NRK TV on Friday.
The interview, recorded alongside Crown Prince Haakon at their Skaugum residence on Thursday, coincides with the nearing conclusion of her son Marius Borg Høiby’s rape trial at Oslo District Court. His trial commenced in early February, a period during which his mother faced increasing scrutiny over connections to Epstein that were revealed through numerous emails.
The Crown Princess had previously issued an apology, acknowledging “poor judgement.” However, she indicated a need for more time before offering a detailed explanation. Amidst the mounting scandals affecting Mette-Marit’s family, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre publicly agreed with the assessment that she had exercised poor judgement, a rare instance of public criticism directed at a royal figure.
While the Crown Princess herself did not attend the trial proceedings, the timing of her interview suggests a deliberate approach; she and the Crown Prince appear to have waited for the legal proceedings to conclude before addressing the matter publicly. The seven-week trial has captured significant attention across Norway, with the public having observed Høiby’s upbringing alongside the royal family, despite his not being a member. He was four years old when his mother married Crown Prince Haakon in 2001.
The 29-year-old Høiby faces 40 charges. These encompass multiple counts of rape, serious assault, and abuse, alongside drug-related and traffic violations. He maintains his innocence regarding the more severe allegations. On Thursday, his defense lawyers informed the court that he should be acquitted of rape charges. They proposed an 18-month prison sentence for the offenses he has admitted to.
Attorneys Ellen Holager Andenæs and Petar Sekulic argued that Høiby should only be convicted for the charges to which he has confessed. These admitted offenses include the transportation of 3.5kg of marijuana, violation of a restraining order, reckless driving, and other related offenses. Prosecutors had previously sought a sentence of seven years and seven months from the three-judge panel, with a verdict expected in June.
Despite Høiby not being a public figure or a member of the royal family, the trial has undoubtedly impacted the royal household. The initial rape charge, dating back to 2018, reportedly occurred at the official Skaugum estate of the Crown Prince and Princess, situated outside Oslo. Observers have characterized the trial as the most significant scandal to afflict Norway’s royals.
In the weekend preceding the trial’s start, hundreds of emails from 2011-2014 emerged, linking the Crown Princess to Epstein. This revelation intensified public scrutiny and led to considerable embarrassment for the royal family. The emails indicated she had spent four days at Epstein’s Florida residence in Palm Beach, during a period when he was not present. She was also reportedly aware of his controversial past.
In an October 2011 message, she wrote, “Googled u after last email. Agree didn’t look too good.” Epstein had previously served a prison sentence in 2008. Initially, a statement expressing regret for poor judgment was deemed insufficient. Days after her son’s trial began, she issued a “profound apology” to the Norwegian public and to King Harald V and Queen Sonja, both in their late eighties.
“Some of the content of the messages between Epstein and me does not represent the person I want to be,” she stated. In addition to witnessing her eldest child’s trial, which has been described as Norway’s most significant court spectacle in years, Mette-Marit is contending with health issues. She has been diagnosed with the lung condition pulmonary fibrosis.
According to the royal household, her condition has worsened. Consequently, she is not expected to participate in a state visit planned for next week by the King and Queen of the Belgians. Earlier in February, Crown Prince Haakon informed reporters that his wife “would like to speak, but right now she can’t, and I also tell her she is not allowed to.”
Two organizations where Mette-Marit held patronages have ceased their collaboration with her, while others have requested explanations for her involvement in the Epstein affair. The royal couple last addressed the public broadcaster NRK in a documentary aired in December. During that program, she expressed frustration over criticism regarding their parenting of Marius Borg Høiby.
The Crown Princess is not the only prominent Norwegian figure implicated in the Epstein files. Former Prime Minister Thorbjørn Jagland faces charges of gross corruption, though he denies criminal liability. The Norwegian parliament recently approved the establishment of an independent commission to investigate potential links between the foreign ministry and Epstein.
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre emphasized the importance of this inquiry in fostering public trust in the democratic process.