Finance
Norway's Crown Princess Says She Was 'manipulated and Deceived' by Epstein
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 20, 2026
2 min readLast updated: March 20, 2026
Quick Summary
Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway has expressed deep regret over her association with Jeffrey Epstein, stating she was “manipulated and deceived.” The fallout from newly released documents and sinking public support have intensified scrutiny of the royal family.
Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit Says She Was Deceived by Jeffrey Epstein
Scandal Surrounding Norway's Royal Family and Jeffrey Epstein
Regret and Public Statements from Crown Princess Mette-Marit
OSLO, March 20 (Reuters) - Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit said on Friday she regretted her friendship with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, seeking to contain one of the biggest scandals to hit the country's royal family.
Epstein Documents and Global Impact
The U.S. Justice Department's release of millions of Epstein documents has sent shockwaves around the world, revealing the disgraced financier's ties to prominent people, including the crown princess and top Norwegian politicians, business executives and diplomats.
Crown Princess's Personal Account
"I was manipulated and deceived," Mette-Marit said in an interview with public broadcaster NRK.
"Of course, I wish I had never met him," she said of Epstein.
Details from Released Files
The files showed frequent communication between Mette-Marit and Epstein that occurred long after he pleaded guilty in 2008 to soliciting an underage girl. The 52-year-old crown princess, who apologised to King Harald and Queen Sonja in a February 6 statement, has not been accused of any criminal wrongdoing.
Media Coverage and Political Reactions
While earlier media coverage had shown that Mette-Marit had links to Epstein, the new documents showed a more extensive relation, triggering an unusual rebuke by the prime minister and leading to demands that she should give a full account.
Timeline of Contact and Visits
The princess, the spouse of Crown Prince Haakon, the heir to the throne, maintained contact with Epstein from 2011 to 2014, and stayed at his Palm Beach house for four days during a private trip in 2013, the U.S. files show.
"I've never seen anything illegal," Mette-Marit told NRK on Friday.
Impact on the Royal Family's Popularity
The royal family's popularity has taken a hit in recent months, a February survey of 1,009 respondents showed.
Some 60% of Norwegians supported the monarchy, down from 70% in January, according to the Norstat poll published on February 21 by public broadcaster NRK, while 27% supported a republic, up from 19% over the same period.
Reporting Credits
(Reporting by Terje Solsvik in Oslo and Gwladys Fouche in Oslo, and Johan Ahlander in Stockholm; Editing by Lincoln Feast.)
Key Takeaways
- •Mette-Marit acknowledged regretting her friendship with Epstein and said she was ‘manipulated and deceived,’ emphasizing she wished she had never met him (huffingtonpost.es).
- •Documents reveal extensive contact with Epstein from 2011 to 2014, including a four‑day stay at his Palm Beach residence in 2013 (theguardian.com).
- •Public support for the Norwegian monarchy has dropped sharply—from about 70% to around 60% in February 2026—marking the lowest level ever recorded in Norstat polls (caliber.az).
References
- Mette-Marit de Noruega concede por fin una entrevista para hablar de Epstein, y hay un detalle importante que deja algo muy claro
- Norway’s crown princess had years of contact with Epstein, files suggest | Norway | The Guardian
- Epstein links shake public confidence in European royal houses | Caliber.Az
Frequently Asked Questions about Norway's crown princess says she was 'manipulated and deceived' by Epstein
1What did Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit say about Jeffrey Epstein?
Mette-Marit stated she was manipulated and deceived by Jeffrey Epstein and regrets her association with him.
2How long did Mette-Marit have contact with Epstein?
According to U.S. files, Mette-Marit had contact with Epstein from 2011 to 2014.
3Was Crown Princess Mette-Marit accused of any crime?
No, she has not been accused of any criminal wrongdoing.
4How has this scandal affected the Norwegian royal family's popularity?
The royal family's popularity declined, with monarchy support dropping from 70% to 60% in recent months.
5Did Mette-Marit visit Epstein’s residence?
Yes, she stayed at Epstein's Palm Beach house for four days during a private trip in 2013.
