OSLO — In a raw and tearful television interview, Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway has addressed the burgeoning scandal surrounding her years-long friendship with Jeffrey Epstein, claiming she was “manipulated and deceived” by the late sex offender.
The 20-minute sit-down, broadcast Friday, March 20, 2026, by Norwegian public broadcaster NRK, marks the first time the future queen has spoken publicly since a massive Department of Justice data dump revealed nearly 1,000 mentions of her name in Epstein’s private correspondence. Sitting alongside her husband, Crown Prince Haakon, at their Skaugum estate, the 52-year-old royal sought to explain a relationship that has sent the monarchy’s popularity plummeting to historic lows.
“It is incredibly important for me to take responsibility for not checking [Epstein’s] background more carefully,” a visibly emotional Mette-Marit told NRK. “And to take responsibility for being so manipulated and deceived as I was.”
The ‘Smiley Face’ Scandal
The interview comes as the Princess faces intense scrutiny over the timeline of her association with Epstein. While she previously claimed the contact ended in 2013, the newly released files show extensive communication through late 2014—years after Epstein’s 2008 conviction for soliciting a minor for prostitution.
The Evidence in the Files:
- The 2011 Email: Perhaps the most damaging revelation is an October 2011 exchange in which Mette-Marit told Epstein she had “Googled” him and agreed “it didn’t look too good,” followed by a smiley face emoji. When pressed on why she continued the friendship after seeing his criminal record, she claimed she could not remember the specific context.
- The ‘Brain Tickle’: The correspondence reveals a high level of intimacy; in one message, she told the financier, “You tickle my brain.” In another, she suggested Paris was “good for adultery” and that “Scandis” made for “better wife material.”
- The Florida Stay: The files confirm that in 2013, Mette-Marit spent four days at Epstein’s Palm Beach mansion. She claimed Friday that she felt “unsafe” during the visit and eventually called Prince Haakon to express her unease.
A Monarchy in Crisis
The timing of the interview is as precarious as its content. It follows the conclusion of a harrowing criminal trial for Mette-Marit’s son from a previous relationship, Marius Borg Høiby, who faces over seven years in prison for charges including four counts of rape.
The dual scandals have ignited a debate over the future of the Norwegian throne. A recent TV2 poll revealed that 47.6% of Norwegians now believe Mette-Marit should not become queen, while overall support for the monarchy has dropped from 70% to 60% in just two months.
“This is the most severe crisis in the history of the Norwegian monarchy,” said Danish royal historian Lars Hovbakke Sørensen. “The limited openness shown so far has been insufficient to maintain public confidence.”
The Health Factor
During the interview, Mette-Marit—who suffers from chronic pulmonary fibrosis—revealed that her declining health and the “family nightmare” surrounding her son contributed to her delay in speaking out. She hinted that a future lung transplant may be necessary, adding a layer of physical vulnerability to her political peril.
Prince Haakon, the heir to the throne, remained steadfastly by her side throughout the broadcast. “Mette is caring, wise, and really strong,” he said. “That’s why I would always want her by my side if something difficult were ever to happen.”
The National Fallout
| Sector | Reaction/Impact |
| Parliament | Voted unanimously to investigate the Foreign Office’s ties to Epstein. |
| Prime Minister | Jonas Gahr Støre expressed satisfaction she spoke but previously called her judgment “lacking.” |
| Charities | Several organizations, including the Red Cross, are reviewing her patronage. |
| Public Sentiment | 27% now support a republic, up from 19% in January. |
Conclusion: The Question of Legitimacy
For Mette-Marit, the central challenge remains credibility. While she maintains she never witnessed illegal activity, the documented emails suggest a level of camaraderie that many find irreconcilable with her role as a moral figurehead.
As she closed the interview, the Princess turned her focus to Epstein’s victims. “I’m not the one to feel sorry for,” she said. “It’s all the victims who’ve been subjected to these serious abuses who deserve justice.” Whether this admission of “poor judgment” will be enough to save her path to the throne remains the defining question for Norway’s royal house.