Newly released documents linked to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein have revealed years of contact between Epstein and Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit.
The files, released as part of a broader US disclosure, include extensive email correspondence and references to the crown princess between 2011 and 2014. According to the documents, Epstein maintained regular communication with Mette-Marit over several years, with nearly 1,000 mentions of her name appearing in the cache. The scale and tone of the exchanges suggest the relationship went beyond a brief or incidental acquaintance.
Emails, meetings and a Florida stay
The files indicate that Mette-Marit exchanged dozens of emails with Epstein, some of which were warm and personal in tone. In one instance highlighted by investigators, the crown princess reportedly stayed at Epstein’s Palm Beach residence in 2013 while he was not present, as reported by the Guardian. The correspondence includes affectionate language, with Epstein described in complimentary terms.
While there is no allegation of criminal wrongdoing against the crown princess, the disclosures have caused considerable embarrassment for the Norwegian royal household and prompted renewed public debate.
In response to the revelations, Mette-Marit issued a statement expressing regret and acknowledging what she described as poor judgment. She said she should have carried out more thorough background checks before maintaining contact and added that the relationship ended in 2014 once concerns were raised about Epstein’s intentions and reputation .
The Norwegian royal palace has said that the crown princess was unaware of the full extent of Epstein’s criminal history at the time of their interactions.
The timing of the revelations has added to the pressure on Norway’s monarchy, already under strain due to unrelated controversies involving members of the royal family. Politicians and commentators have questioned whether the episode could affect public trust in the institution and the future public role of the crown princess.
