Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway issued a public apology on Friday, February 6, 2026, expressing deep regret for her past “friendship” with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following revelations from newly released case files that detailed multiple contacts between the two.
In a written statement issued by the Royal House of Norway, the crown princess offered a full apology to those she had disappointed:
“I wish to offer a deep apology for my friendship with Jeffrey Epstein. It is important to 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.”
The statement emphasized her strong condemnation of Epstein’s crimes: “I strongly condemn Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse and criminal actions. I am deeply sorry that I did not understand sooner what kind of person he was.”
The crown princess also indicated that she wishes to provide a fuller explanation of the events but is currently unable to do so. “The Crown Princess is in a very demanding situation. She hopes for understanding that she needs time to collect herself,” the Royal House statement added.
The apology follows a report by Norwegian public broadcaster NRK on Tuesday, which revealed details from the recently declassified Epstein files. The documents show that Mette-Marit was invited at least twice to visit Epstein’s private island in the U.S. Virgin Islands, although no evidence has emerged confirming that she ever traveled there. The emails also indicate that she visited Epstein’s villa in Palm Beach, Florida, and that the two exchanged invitations for meals, pointing to repeated social contact over a period of time.
The revelations stem from a massive document release by the U.S. Department of Justice under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, signed into law by President Donald Trump on November 19, 2025. The disclosure includes more than 3 million pages of records, 2,000 videos, and 180,000 images related to Epstein’s criminal activities and investigations. While many documents remain heavily redacted to protect victims, the files contain photographs of prominent figures, grand jury transcripts, investigative summaries, and correspondence that have shed new light on Epstein’s extensive network.
Epstein, a financier and convicted sex offender, was arrested in July 2019 on federal charges of operating a sex-trafficking network involving dozens of underage girls and young women. He was found dead by suicide in his cell at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York City on August 10, 2019, while awaiting trial. His death was officially ruled a suicide by hanging, though it has fueled widespread speculation and conspiracy theories ever since.
Crown Princess Mette-Marit, married to Crown Prince Haakon since 2001, has been a prominent figure in Norwegian public life, known for her advocacy work on global health, mental health, HIV/AIDS awareness, and children’s rights. The disclosure of her past association with Epstein has caused significant public and media attention in Norway, where the monarchy generally enjoys high levels of trust and respect.
The Royal House emphasized that the crown princess had no knowledge of Epstein’s criminal activities during the period of their contact. Her statement reflects an acknowledgment of poor judgment in maintaining the association and regret over not recognizing his true character earlier.
The apology and the surrounding revelations have prompted renewed discussion in Norway about the responsibilities of public figures in vetting personal and professional relationships, particularly with individuals later exposed as criminals. The case also highlights the far-reaching impact of the Epstein files’ release, which continues to generate new information about his wide-ranging social and professional connections.
As the crown princess requests time to process the situation, Norwegian media and the public await any further statements or explanations she may choose to provide in the future.
