Norway’s King Publicly Defends Crown Princess Over Epstein Links
Recent royal statements have not eased public concerns about trust in the monarchy and experts say the controversy may permanently stain the crown couple
Overview
- Revelations that Crown Princess Mette‑Marit had contacts with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein have triggered a major reputational crisis for the Norwegian royal family.
- In late May Crown Prince Haakon faced journalists and praised his wife's NRK interview while King Harald told VG that Mette‑Marit did nothing illegal and ended the contact earlier than many others.
- A March poll found 47 percent of Norwegians opposed to Mette‑Marit as future queen and only 34 percent in favor, a decline officials say the palace is trying to repair through public statements.
- Reporting highlights a 2011 start to the connection and an email from Mette‑Marit to Epstein saying she had googled him that she now says she does not recall writing, which critics call especially damaging.
- New reporting shows a previously unreported 2014 Florida trip by Mette‑Marit that the palace says does not indicate renewed contact with Epstein and experts warn the episode could prompt sustained demands for transparency and political scrutiny.