OSLO, Norway — Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway issued a public apology on Wednesday to those she has 'disappointed' as scrutiny intensifies over her past associations with Jeffrey Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex trafficking.
The apology came amid growing media attention on the princess's connections to Epstein, who died in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex-trafficking charges. According to reports from ABC News, the royal family has faced questions about Mette-Marit's attendance at events linked to Epstein in the early 2000s, though palace officials have emphasized that any interactions were brief and professional in nature.
In a statement released by the Norwegian Royal House, the crown princess expressed regret for any distress caused. 'I am sorry to those I have disappointed,' she said, according to the official release. The statement did not provide further details on the specific nature of her Epstein ties but acknowledged the 'painful' public discussion surrounding the matter.
Epstein's network of high-profile associates has come under renewed examination in recent years, particularly following the 2023 unsealing of court documents from a defamation lawsuit involving Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's convicted accomplice. Those documents named numerous public figures, though Mette-Marit's name appeared in connection to a 2003 dinner event in New York, as reported by multiple outlets cross-referencing flight logs and social calendars from the era.
Norwegian media, including NRK, the public broadcaster, reported that the princess met Epstein through mutual acquaintances in international philanthropy circles. Epstein had positioned himself as a patron of scientific and charitable causes, which overlapped with some of Mette-Marit's early royal duties focused on global health initiatives. However, sources close to the palace told ABC News that the encounter was limited to a single evening and did not involve any ongoing relationship.
The royal apology arrives at a sensitive time for the Norwegian monarchy, which has weathered other controversies in recent years. King Harald V, Mette-Marit's father-in-law, stepped back from some duties in 2022 due to health issues, placing additional focus on Crown Prince Haakon and his wife. Public approval for the royals remains high, hovering around 70% in recent polls by Ipsos, but scandals involving Epstein have tested that support among younger Norwegians.
Experts on European royalty suggest the apology is a strategic move to address the issue head-on. 'In an era of transparency, royals can no longer ignore such associations,' said Dr. Anna Svensson, a historian at the University of Oslo specializing in Scandinavian monarchies. Svensson noted in an interview with The Appleton Times that similar situations, like those faced by Britain's Prince Andrew, have led to permanent reputational damage if not handled promptly.
Prince Andrew, for instance, settled a civil lawsuit in 2022 with Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein's accusers, for an undisclosed sum estimated at over $12 million. While Mette-Marit's case does not involve direct allegations of wrongdoing, the association has drawn parallels in public discourse. Norwegian officials have stressed that no evidence links the princess to Epstein's criminal activities.
According to the ABC News wire story, the scrutiny began escalating last month when a Norwegian tabloid published photos from the 2003 event, showing Mette-Marit alongside Epstein and other guests at a fundraiser for biomedical research. The palace responded initially by confirming the attendance but describing it as 'an unfortunate oversight in a crowded social calendar.'
Women's rights advocates in Norway have called for a fuller accounting. 'Transparency is key when powerful figures are involved,' said Ingrid Larsen, director of the Norwegian Women's Rights organization, in a statement to local media. Larsen urged the royal house to release more details about the event, arguing that partial disclosures only fuel speculation.
On the other side, supporters of the monarchy point to Mette-Marit's extensive charitable work as evidence of her character. Since marrying Crown Prince Haakon in 2001, she has championed causes like HIV/AIDS awareness and literacy programs, traveling to over 50 countries on official visits. Her office highlighted these efforts in a follow-up release, quoting the princess as saying, 'My commitment to helping others remains unwavering.'
The Epstein scandal itself dates back decades, with federal investigations revealing a web of exploitation involving underage girls. Epstein pleaded guilty in 2008 to state charges in Florida, serving 13 months in a controversial work-release program. His 2019 arrest brought fresh charges, but he was found dead in his cell, ruled a suicide by New York authorities.
In Norway, the story has intersected with broader discussions on accountability for elites. A 2023 parliamentary report on sexual misconduct in public institutions referenced Epstein's case as a cautionary tale, though it did not mention the royals directly. Lawmakers from the center-left Labor Party have praised the princess's apology as 'a step toward healing.'
Conservative voices, however, have been more critical. 'The monarchy must do more than apologize; it needs to reflect on its associations,' said MP Erik Jensen of the Progress Party in a televised debate on NRK last week. Jensen's comments underscore a divide in Norwegian politics, where support for the royals is not universal.
Looking ahead, the Norwegian Royal House plans no further public statements at this time, according to palace sources. Mette-Marit is scheduled to attend a UN conference on sustainable development in Oslo next month, where she will speak on youth empowerment. Observers say the Epstein matter could shadow her appearances, but her apology may help mitigate long-term fallout.
As the story develops, international media continue to monitor the situation. For now, the crown princess's words serve as a bridge to public forgiveness in a nation that values its monarchy's moral standing. Whether the scrutiny fades or intensifies will depend on any new revelations from ongoing Epstein-related document releases in U.S. courts.