Norwegian Crown Princess Apologizes for Epstein Friendship

Royal Scandal Rocks Norway's Monarchy

In a stunning development that has shaken Norway's royal family to its core, Crown Princess Mette-Marit has issued a formal public apology for her friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The apology comes after newly released Epstein documents revealed hundreds of mentions of the future queen in emails and communications spanning from 2011 to 2014.

'I want to express my deepest regret for my friendship with Jeffrey Epstein,' the Crown Princess stated in an official declaration released by the Royal House. 'It is important for me to apologize to everyone I have disappointed.' She added that some of the messages exchanged with Epstein 'do not represent the person I want to be.'

Damaging Revelations

The documents reveal that Mette-Marit maintained contact with Epstein even after his 2008 conviction for soliciting a minor. In one particularly troubling email exchange, she asked Epstein whether it was inappropriate for 'a mother to have two naked women with a surfboard as the phone screensaver for her 15-year-old son.' The princess also spent four days at Epstein's Palm Beach, Florida mansion in January 2013, which the palace described as her having 'borrowed' the property while visiting with a friend.

This marks the second time Mette-Marit has addressed the controversy. Last week, she called her association with Epstein 'simply embarrassing' and admitted to making a 'poor judgment.' However, the latest apology is more comprehensive, extending specifically to King Harald V and Queen Sonja for putting the royal family in a difficult position.

Public Trust Eroding

The scandal comes at a particularly vulnerable time for the Norwegian monarchy. According to a recent NRK poll, 76% of Norwegians say their trust in the Crown Princess has decreased, while 44% believe she is unfit to become queen. Another survey by Verian for TV 2 shows 47.6% of Norwegians don't want her to ascend the throne.

'This represents one of the most serious crises for the Norwegian monarchy in decades,' says royal historian Dr. Trond Norén Isaksen. 'The combination of the Epstein revelations and her son's criminal trial creates a perfect storm that threatens the institution's stability.'

Broader Norwegian Connections

The Epstein scandal has ensnared other prominent Norwegians as well. Former Prime Minister Thorbjørn Jagland is under criminal investigation for 'gross corruption' related to gifts and benefits from Epstein, while former Foreign Minister Børge Brende, now head of the World Economic Forum, faces scrutiny for multiple business dinners with the financier.

Meanwhile, Mette-Marit's oldest son, Marius Borg Høiby, is currently on trial for 38 criminal charges including four counts of rape. Though not an official member of the royal family, his legal troubles have added to the palace's public relations nightmare.

The Royal House stated that while the Crown Princess wishes to address the situation more thoroughly, she needs time to 'collect herself' in what they describe as a 'very demanding situation.' As Norway's future queen faces unprecedented scrutiny, the question remains whether the monarchy can recover from this dual scandal.

Sources

Royal House Statement, NRK Poll, PBS NewsHour Report, Al Jazeera Investigation