Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre has said he agrees with Crown Princess Mette-Marit's admission of 'poor judgement' after it emerged she had extensive contacts with late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The princess features hundreds of times between 2011-14 in the latest files released by the US Department of Justice relating to Epstein. This latest embarrassment for the royal family comes on the eve of her son's seven-week trial in Oslo on 38 charges, including rape and assault.
Princess Mette-Marit married Norway's Crown Prince Haakon as a commoner when her son Marius Borg Høiby was four and is in line to become queen when her husband accedes to the throne. As the content of her email exchanges began to emerge, the princess released a statement on Saturday saying: I showed poor judgement and regret having any contact with Epstein at all. It is simply embarrassing. She also expressed her deep sympathy and solidarity with the victims of the abuses committed by Jeffrey Epstein.
While Støre did not elaborate beyond agreeing with the princess' admission of poor judgement, some interpret his stance as an implicit criticism of her actions. He drew parallels to ex-Prime Minister Thorbjørn Jagland, who faced backlash for planning a family holiday on Epstein's private island before ultimately canceling it. Recent files indicate that Mette-Marit spent four days at Epstein's residence in Palm Beach in January 2013, raising eyebrows over her awareness of his concerning past. The warm tone of her correspondence with Epstein has shocked many in Norway, especially as her son faces serious allegations.
Norway's royal family has been embroiled in various scandals recently, compounding the public's critical lens on their activities. As Marius's trial looms, questions arise about Mette-Marit's judgment and her advisors' roles. Her health concerns, specifically pulmonary fibrosis, add an emotional layer to the family's public struggles. Despite their familial connections, the royal family will not attend the trial, although Crown Prince Haakon conveyed support for those affected by the circumstances surrounding his stepson.
Princess Mette-Marit married Norway's Crown Prince Haakon as a commoner when her son Marius Borg Høiby was four and is in line to become queen when her husband accedes to the throne. As the content of her email exchanges began to emerge, the princess released a statement on Saturday saying: I showed poor judgement and regret having any contact with Epstein at all. It is simply embarrassing. She also expressed her deep sympathy and solidarity with the victims of the abuses committed by Jeffrey Epstein.
While Støre did not elaborate beyond agreeing with the princess' admission of poor judgement, some interpret his stance as an implicit criticism of her actions. He drew parallels to ex-Prime Minister Thorbjørn Jagland, who faced backlash for planning a family holiday on Epstein's private island before ultimately canceling it. Recent files indicate that Mette-Marit spent four days at Epstein's residence in Palm Beach in January 2013, raising eyebrows over her awareness of his concerning past. The warm tone of her correspondence with Epstein has shocked many in Norway, especially as her son faces serious allegations.
Norway's royal family has been embroiled in various scandals recently, compounding the public's critical lens on their activities. As Marius's trial looms, questions arise about Mette-Marit's judgment and her advisors' roles. Her health concerns, specifically pulmonary fibrosis, add an emotional layer to the family's public struggles. Despite their familial connections, the royal family will not attend the trial, although Crown Prince Haakon conveyed support for those affected by the circumstances surrounding his stepson.
