Six weeks after files revealed that Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit (52) had direct contact with convicted businessman Jeffrey Epstein (1952–2014) between 2011 and 2014, she has addressed the matter for the first time.
In a taped interview with broadcaster NRK published March 20, the Crown Princess sat down alongside her husband, Crown Prince Haakon, at their Skaugum residence. The 20-minute interview took place on March 19, the same day the court case involving her son, Marius Borg Høiby, concluded in Oslo District Court.
“I wish I had never met him,” Mette-Marit said during the session, which the Royal Palace stated could not be extended due to her health condition (link to NRK TV interview).
“It is very important for me to take responsibility for not checking his background more thoroughly, and for being as manipulated and fooled as I was,” she added.
She also stressed the importance of highlighting the situation of Epstein’s female victims.
The interview has received mixed reactions amongst pundits and politicians in the Norwegian public.
A poll by Respons Analyse for VG and Aftenposten found that 68 percent of respondents believe the Crown Princess failed to answer questions adequately.
Furthermore, 47 percent believe she should not become Queen of Norway, while only 23 percent support her taking the title.
