Trending Now - Norway's Crown Princess Opens up About Epstein Connection
WHO:
Marius Borg Høiby, 29, son of Mette-Marit from a previous relationship, is on trial for rape and other crimes.
Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit
Jeffrey Epstein, late US sex offender
Crown Prince Haakon, spouse of Mette-Marit
King Harald and Queen Sonja, Mette-Marit's in-laws
Norwegian Prime Minister (unnamed in the articles)
WHAT:
Prosecutors are seeking a prison sentence of seven years and seven months for Marius Borg Høiby, who has declared himself not guilty of rape and domestic abuse.
Mette-Marit expressed guilt for Epstein's victims, stating, "It's all the victims who've been subjected to these serious abuses who deserve justice."
Mette-Marit mentioned in her interview that she feels a sense of guilt for Epstein's victims and has spent years processing their relationship and the allegations against him.
Mette-Marit expressed regret over her friendship with Epstein, stating, “I was manipulated and deceived.”
Mette-Marit maintained contact with Epstein from 2011 to 2014.
Mette-Marit stayed at Epstein's Palm Beach house for four days during a private trip in 2013.
A February 6th statement included an apology to King Harald and Queen Sonja.
A February survey showed 60% of Norwegians supported the monarchy, down from 70% in January 2026.
WHERE:
Norway
Palm Beach, Florida, USA
WHEN:
The criminal trial against Marius Borg Høiby concluded on March 20th, 2026, with a verdict expected in early June 2026.
Mette-Marit’s interview aired on March 20th, 2026.
Epstein pleaded guilty in 2008 to soliciting an underage girl.
Mette-Marit communicated with Epstein in October 2011.
The survey was published on February 21st, 2026.
WHY:
Mette-Marit’s regret stems from revelations in documents released by the US Justice Department regarding Epstein's ties to prominent individuals.
HOW:
Mette-Marit described feeling unsafe during a 2013 encounter with Epstein at his Palm Beach mansion, stating she called Haakon at home during that visit.
Mette-Marit described her relationship with Epstein as being influenced by a mutual friend and her own gullibility, stating, “He used the fact that we had a mutual friend, and that I’m gullible.”
(UPDATED March 20, 2026 15:12 UTC)
Marius Borg Høiby, the 29-year-old son of Mette-Marit, is currently on trial for rape and other crimes, with prosecutors seeking a prison sentence of seven years and seven months, while he maintains his innocence. Mette-Marit has expressed guilt for the victims of Jeffrey Epstein, emphasizing that they are the ones who truly deserve justice, and she has reflected on her own feelings of unease during a 2013 encounter with Epstein at his Palm Beach mansion. The trial concluded today, March 20, 2026, and a verdict is expected in early June.
--
(UPDATED March 20, 2026 13:21 UTC)
In an interview that aired today, Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway expressed deep regret over her past friendship with Jeffrey Epstein, saying she felt manipulated and deceived. She revealed that she maintained contact with Epstein from 2011 to 2014 and even stayed at his Palm Beach home for four days during a private trip in 2013. This comes amid a February survey showing a decline in support for the monarchy, with 60% of Norwegians backing it, down from 70% just a month earlier.