Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit has spoken publicly for the first time since newly released Jeffrey Epstein files exposed the full extent of her relationship with the convicted sex offender. In an emotional television interview, the future queen admitted she deeply regrets ever meeting Epstein, saying she was “manipulated and deceived” and wishes their paths had never crossed.
The 20-minute interview with Norwegian broadcaster NRK marked the princess’s first public comments in seven weeks, following intense scrutiny over revelations that she exchanged hundreds of emails with Epstein between 2011 and 2014 and stayed at his Palm Beach home while he was away.
“I Wish I Had Never Met Him”
Fighting back tears throughout the interview, Mette-Marit acknowledged she had made serious mistakes.
“I feel so manipulated, and when you are manipulated, you don’t realise it from the start.”
She accepted responsibility for failing to investigate Epstein’s past more carefully.
“It is incredibly important for me to take responsibility for not checking his background more carefully. And to take responsibility for being so manipulated and deceived as I was.”
The princess emphasized that her greatest concern remains the victims of Epstein’s abuse.
“Of course I wish I had never met him.”
She added that she feels deep anger that many of his victims still have not received the justice they deserve.
Hundreds of Emails and a Stay at Epstein’s Mansion
Public concern intensified after millions of documents released by the U.S. Department of Justice earlier this year revealed the scale of the princess’s contact with Epstein. The files showed she exchanged hundreds of emails with him over several years and stayed in his Florida mansion in 2013.
One particularly controversial email from 2011 resurfaced, in which Mette-Marit wrote:
“Googled u after last email. Agree didn’t look too good.”
The message has fueled criticism that she was aware of troubling information surrounding Epstein years after he had already been convicted of soliciting sex from a minor.
“I Didn’t Know He Was a Predator”
Despite the criticism, Mette-Marit insisted she never fully understood who Epstein really was.
She told NRK she could not remember the email exchange in detail and maintained that although she had realized he was “a bad guy,” she did not know the full extent of his crimes.
“I still didn’t know anything about all the abuse.”
She also admitted that she witnessed behavior that should have prompted stronger action.
“I had seen up close how he blackmailed others. I regret that I didn’t tell more people, because I should have.”
A Disturbing Incident at Epstein’s Home
The princess also revealed new details about her stay at Epstein’s Palm Beach residence.
According to Mette-Marit, she was invited through a mutual friend because Epstein was close to someone she trusted.
During the final day of the visit, however, something happened that left her feeling deeply uncomfortable.
She refused to reveal exactly what occurred but confirmed she immediately phoned her husband, Crown Prince Haakon.
Haakon, who appeared alongside her throughout the interview, said he clearly remembers that phone call and recalled how unsafe his wife felt.
Despite that experience, Mette-Marit acknowledged she remained in contact with Epstein for some time afterward before eventually cutting off all direct communication.
“I am overly trusting. I tend to think the best of people.”
Why Didn’t the Royal Family Know?
When asked why neither the Royal Household nor Norway’s Foreign Ministry had been informed about her relationship with Epstein, Mette-Marit explained that he was simply a private acquaintance.
She argued that not every personal friendship needs to be disclosed publicly, even for members of the royal family.
That explanation has drawn criticism from royal experts, who argue that members of the monarchy have a greater obligation to transparency because of their public role.
Experts Say the Interview Leaves Too Many Questions
Royal commentators were unconvinced by many of the princess’s answers.
Nettavisen royal correspondent Tove Taalesen believes the interview raised more questions than it answered.
According to Taalesen, something significant appears to have happened during the Palm Beach visit that the princess deliberately chose not to disclose.
She argued that Mette-Marit missed an opportunity to fully explain her actions and rebuild public trust.
TV2 royal expert Ole-Jørgen Schulsrud-Hansen was equally critical, saying the interview revealed a misunderstanding of what it means to serve as a member of Norway’s royal family.
He argued that placing personal privacy above the reputation of the monarchy risks damaging public confidence in the institution itself.
Health Also Casts a Shadow Over Her Future
Beyond the Epstein controversy, Mette-Marit’s health remains a growing concern.
The 52-year-old crown princess has lived for years with pulmonary fibrosis, a serious chronic lung disease that has increasingly limited her public engagements.
Because of her condition, the NRK interview lasted only 20 minutes, and viewers could hear her struggling to breathe at several points.
When asked whether she still hopes to become Norway’s queen one day, she admitted that the decision may ultimately be beyond her control.
“I live with a serious illness. That is what decides whether I can continue in the role I have.”
She nevertheless expressed her desire to continue supporting Crown Prince Haakon if her health allows.
Haakon echoed that commitment, describing their royal duties as a shared mission after more than 25 years together.
“This is our project, which we’re doing together.”
The remark sparked debate among royal commentators, some of whom argued that describing the monarchy as a “project” sounded more like a professional assignment than a lifelong calling.
With questions surrounding both her judgment and her health, Crown Princess Mette-Marit now faces one of the most challenging periods of her public life as Norway continues to debate the future of its royal family.
