Oslo: Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit revealed that she had been "manipulated and deceived" during her past relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. She expressed regret for not scrutinizing his background more thoroughly.
According to Anadolu Agency, Mette-Marit conveyed her responsibility for not investigating Epstein's background more carefully and acknowledged the manipulation she experienced. "It is incredibly important for me to take responsibility for not checking his background more carefully. And to take responsibility for being so manipulated and deceived as I was," she stated to broadcaster NRK.
She voiced her wish to have never met Epstein and highlighted the need for justice for the victims of his 'gross abuses'. Mette-Marit admitted that her association with Epstein might have inadvertently given him legitimacy, a notion she found difficult to bear.
Mette-Marit explained that she met Epstein through mutual acquaintances, which included a close friend of hers. She trusted these individuals and their judgment, which ultimately led to her interactions with Epstein. Despite documents indicating a close connection, she described their relationship as merely 'friendly'.
In a 2011 email, Mette-Marit acknowledged her online search of Epstein, noting it "didn't look too good" even after his guilty plea and prison sentence. However, she stated she couldn't recall specific details of what she found.
Regarding her stay at Epstein's Palm Beach home in January 2013, she clarified that a mutual friend had borrowed the house, and she felt a sense of guilt for the victims upon learning of Epstein's actions. She emphasized that she never witnessed any illegal activities during her visits or meetings with him, though an uncomfortable encounter prompted her to seek assistance from Crown Prince Haakon's house.
Mette-Marit continued communication with Epstein for some time due to his manipulative behavior and their mutual connections. She admitted that her trust in him during a challenging phase in her life was misplaced, and she ultimately decided to end contact.
The US Justice Department recently released extensive documents under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, revealing contact between Epstein and several high-ranking Norwegian officials, including former Prime Minister Thorbjorn Jagland and Crown Princess Mette-Marit. Epstein died in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, following a 2008 conviction critics labeled a 'sweetheart deal'.