Norway’s Crown Princess says she regrets meeting Epstein, admits ‘poor judgement’: Reports

Crown Princess of Norway Mette-Marit has finally responded, saying she wishes she had never met disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, admitting she felt “manipulated” in a televised interview that broke weeks of silence over her past association with him, as per the BBC report.

The Crown Princess reportedly said she took responsibility for failing to scrutinise Epstein’s background. “Of course, I wish I had never met him,” she said, adding that she had been deceived and overly trusting.

As per reports, the remarks come after revelations that she exchanged hundreds of emails with Epstein between 2011 and 2014 and had stayed at his Florida residence. The disclosures followed the release of extensive documents related to Epstein by US authorities earlier this year.

Mette-Marit reportedly acknowledged that she had exercised “poor judgement” and stressed that justice must be delivered for Epstein’s victims. “It is incredibly important for me to take responsibility,” she said, appearing emotional during parts of the interview.

Despite being challenged over Epstein’s prior conviction, the Crown Princess alleged that she was unaware of his history at the time, saying she did not recall details from more than a decade ago. She described him as a “private contact” and said she had not informed palace officials or the Foreign Ministry about their interactions.

As per BBC reports, she also spoke of an incident during a 2013 visit to Epstein’s home in Palm Beach that left her feeling uneasy, prompting her to contact her husband, Crown Prince Haakon. He confirmed during the interview that the episode had made her feel unsafe.

The Crown Princess reportedly said she eventually cut off direct contact with Epstein, citing such experiences. “I tend to think the best of people, but I also chose to end all contact,” she said.

Her decision to speak publicly follows mounting scrutiny in Norway, including calls for clarification from Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.

The interview also touched on her health and future royal role. The 52-year-old, who suffers from pulmonary fibrosis, said her ability to continue public duties would depend on her condition. “I live with a serious illness… it will determine whether I can continue in my role,” she said.

Crown Prince Haakon reaffirmed their partnership, saying they remained committed to their shared responsibilities.