Norway PM criticizes crown princess
He says contact with Epstein showed poor judgement
Norway’s prime minister said the crown princess showed “poor judgement” after newly released U.S. Justice Department files revealed extensive post‑conviction email contact between Mette‑Marit and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The documents include hundreds of messages between the princess and Epstein from 2011–2014 and show she visited one of his properties; the royal palace says all contact ended in 2014 when she felt Epstein was exploiting the relationship.
Mette‑Marit issued a public apology, saying she regretted maintaining contact and took responsibility for not investigating Epstein’s background more thoroughly. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre publicly echoed her self‑criticism and urged other prominent Norwegians named in the files to explain the extent of their ties. He said the matter was primarily one of judgement and awareness rather than evidence of criminal conduct by the princess.
The revelations add to a series of reputational strains on Norway’s royal household, which is already facing scrutiny as Mette‑Marit’s eldest son, Marius Borg Høiby, stands trial on multiple charges including rape and assault. The palace has emphasised the princess’s longstanding charitable work and said she expressed “deep sympathy and solidarity with the victims” of Epstein’s crimes.
Media coverage of the files has also implicated other high‑profile Norwegians — including a former prime minister and senior diplomats — prompting calls from some quarters for greater transparency and, in one case, proposals for a parliamentary inquiry. Several named figures have expressed regret and insisted they were unaware of Epstein’s criminality when contacts occurred.
Public reaction has been mixed: some welcome the prime minister’s candid stance as appropriate accountability for those in public roles, while others warn against politicising private associations with the monarchy. Constitutional sensitivities remain as commentators debate whether political leaders should publicly judge members of the royal family.
Analysts note the episode reflects changing expectations about elite accountability and the reputational risks of historical associations, especially when new information emerges about abusive individuals. Observers say the longer‑term impact on the monarchy will hinge on full transparency from those named, the outcomes of related legal proceedings, and whether the institution can maintain public trust amid the revelations.
