Crown Princess Breaks Silence on Epstein Ties
Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit has spoken out about her past association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, saying she had no knowledge of his predatory behaviour at the time and deeply regrets ever having met him.
The statement, reported by the BBC, marks one of the more candid public admissions from a European royal figure regarding connections to Epstein, whose death in a New York jail in 2019 — officially ruled a suicide — left many unanswered questions about the full scope of his social network.
What the Crown Princess Said
Mette-Marit's remarks were unambiguous: she did not know Epstein was a predator. She expressed that, had she known, she would never have had any contact with him. The princess stopped short of elaborating on the nature or extent of their association, but her public acknowledgment is being seen as an effort to address lingering questions around the Norwegian royal family's past connections to the disgraced financier.
Epstein, an American financier and convicted sex offender, was arrested in 2019 on federal sex trafficking charges involving minors. He died while awaiting trial, and his death sparked widespread speculation and ongoing legal proceedings against his associates — most notably Ghislaine Maxwell, who was convicted in 2021 on sex trafficking and related charges.
A Wider Reckoning for the Powerful
Mette-Marit's statement comes years into what has been a slow, often reluctant public reckoning for many wealthy and powerful individuals who once moved in Epstein's circles. From politicians and academics to business leaders and royalty, the question of who knew what — and when — has dogged his former associates.
Britain's Prince Andrew famously faced enormous scrutiny over his friendship with Epstein, eventually stepping back from royal duties in 2019 following a disastrous BBC interview. He later reached a civil settlement with Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein's accusers, without admitting liability.
The Norwegian royal family has generally maintained a lower profile in the Epstein saga compared to their British counterparts, making Mette-Marit's statement notable for its directness.
Why It Still Matters
More than six years after Epstein's death, the story refuses to fade — partly because so many of his associates have never fully accounted for their relationships with him, and partly because ongoing civil litigation continues to surface new details.
For Mette-Marit, speaking out now may reflect a calculated decision to address public curiosity head-on rather than allow speculation to fester. Whether her statement will fully satisfy Norwegian media and public opinion remains to be seen.
The BBC, which first reported her comments, noted that the princess was emphatic in her regret — a sentiment that, while it cannot undo past associations, at least places her on record.
Source: BBC News. This article is based on reporting by the BBC.
