Norway’s Crown Princess has issued a heartfelt apology concerning her past connections with Jeffrey Epstein after newly unveiled documents revealed she stayed at the financier’s residence in Palm Beach.

Crown Princess Mette-Marit expressed regret over the nature of the communications she had with Epstein, stating they do not align with the person she aspires to be. She extended her apologies to everyone she may have disappointed.

The documents mention the crown princess several hundred times, highlighting her previous interactions with Epstein. Mette-Marit had already expressed regret for these interactions back in 2019, according to Norwegian media.

This apology marks the second from Mette-Marit within a week. Her initial statement acknowledged a lapse in judgment regarding her association with Epstein, following the release of the files.

The revelations about Mette-Marit’s interactions with Epstein have drawn significant attention, causing further challenges for the royal family. This comes at a particularly sensitive time as her son faces a trial in Oslo on multiple charges, including rape.

Among the newly disclosed documents are email exchanges indicating that Mette-Marit used Epstein’s property in Palm Beach, Florida, for several days in 2013.

Norway’s crown princess has issued a groveling apology over her links with Jeffrey Epstein after newly released files revealed she stayed at the paedophile financier’s Palm beach home

Mette-Marit’s communications and contacts with Epstein have put her in the spotlight over the past week, adding to the embarrassment to the royals just as her son went on trial in Oslo for multiple offenses, including charges of rape. Pictured: Mette-Marit’s son, Marius Borg Høiby

The Epstein files contained several hundred mentions of the crown princess, who said in 2019 that she regretted having had contact with Epstein, Norwegian media reported

Broadcaster NRK reported that the stay was arranged through a mutual friend, which was later confirmed by the royal household.

The royal palace said Friday that Mette-Marit wants to talk about what happened and explain herself in more detail, but is unable to at present. 

It added that she is in a very difficult situation and ‘hopes for understanding that she needs time to gather her thoughts.’

The palace also issued a statement from the crown princess in which she reiterated her deep regret for her past friendship with Epstein.

‘It is important for me to apologize to all of you whom I have disappointed,’ she said. ‘Some of the content of the messages between Epstein and me does not represent the person I want to be. 

‘I also apologize for the situation I have put the Royal Family in, especially the King and Queen.’

King Harald, 88, and the royals are generally popular in Norway, but the case against Mette-Marit’s son, Marius Borg Høiby, has been a problem for the family’s image since 2024 and the latest Epstein files have compounded that. 

Mette-Marit is married to Crown Prince Haakon, the heir to the throne.

court sketch depicts Marius Borg Hoiby, son of Norwegian Crown Princess Mette-Marit during the first day of a trial in Oslo at the District Court on February 4, 2026

Crown Princess Mette-Marit, Dinner for the representatives of the Storting at the Royal Palace in Oslo, Norway, 23 October 2025

The release of documents included an email from Mette-Marit to Epstein in November 2012 asking: ‘Is it inappropriate for a mother to suggest two naked women carrying a surfboard for my I5-year-old son’s wallpaper?’

He replied, ‘Let them decide,’ and advised that the mother should, ‘Stay out of it.’

Mette-Marit, 52, said in a statement issued shortly after the files were released that she ‘must take responsibility for not having investigated Epstein’s background more thoroughly, and for not realizing sooner what kind of person he was.’ 

She added: ‘I showed poor judgment and regret having had any contact with Epstein at all. It is simply embarrassing.’

The crown princess isn’t the only high-profile Norwegian who faces unflattering attention stemming from the documents on millionaire financier and sex offender Epstein released by the U.S. Department of Justice.

The Norwegian Economic Crime Investigation Service, a mixed unit of police and prosecutors, said Thursday that it would look into whether gifts, travel or loans were received by former Prime Minister Thorbjørn Jagland in connection with his positions.

Jagland was Norway’s prime minister between 1996 and 1997. He also has chaired the Norwegian Nobel Committee and was secretary general of the Council of Europe.

The files revealed years of contact between the politician and Epstein. Emails indicate that he made plans to visit Epstein’s island with his family in 2014, when he was chairman of the Nobel committee, with an Epstein assistant organizing the flights.

Norwegian authorities are also looking to lift Jagland’s immunity, which he enjoys because of his past as a diplomat. His legal representative told Norwegian broadcaster NRK that Jagland is cooperating with the investigation.

The World Economic Forum also announced on Thursday that it was opening an internal review into its CEO Børge Brende to determine his relationship with Epstein, after the files indicated the two had dined together several times and exchanged messages. 

Brende was Norway’s foreign minister from 2013-2017.

He told NRK that he is cooperating with the investigation, that he only met Epstein in business settings and that he had been unaware of Epstein’s criminal background.

Epstein killed himself in 2019 while awaiting trial on charges that he sexually abused underage girls at his homes in the U.S.