New Epstein files reveal intimate royal correspondence as Norway’s monarchy faces renewed scrutiny

Norway’s royal family has been plunged into a fresh scandal following the release of new files detailing extensive contact between Crown Princess Mette-Marit and the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The disclosures have triggered widespread criticism and forced a public apology from the future queen, as the revelations surface just days before her eldest son faces trial for multiple serious crimes.

The newly released documents show that Mette-Marit exchanged hundreds of personal emails with Epstein between 2011 and 2013. The correspondence, described as unusually close in tone, includes flirtatious language and expressions of affection that have shocked the Norwegian public. Some messages reveal crude humour, while others suggest a level of familiarity that critics say is deeply troubling, given Epstein’s criminal history.

The timing has intensified the fallout. Mette-Marit’s son, Marius Borg Høiby, is due to stand trial in Oslo on 38 counts, including rape and sexual assault. The overlap between the trial and the revelations has fuelled accusations that the royal household failed to exercise proper judgment at a moment when scrutiny should have been unavoidable.

Although the crown princess has previously stated she was unaware of Epstein’s past crimes, the emails show that she had investigated his background in 2011. In one message, she acknowledged that his history “didn’t look too good”, followed by a smiley face. Despite this, the correspondence continued, including several in-person meetings and a four-day stay at Epstein’s Palm Beach estate in 2013.

In one exchange from 2012, Epstein wrote that he was in Paris looking for a wife. Mette-Marit responded with comments about adultery and marriage, later describing him as “charming”. In another email, she told him she missed him, referring to him as her “crazy friend”. These messages have proven especially damaging as they contradict earlier efforts to downplay the nature of their relationship.

Palace officials have insisted that Mette-Marit never visited Epstein’s private Caribbean island, where he abused young women. They also say Crown Prince Haakon met Epstein only once, by chance, during a holiday in the Caribbean. However, critics have questioned how such extensive communication could have gone unnoticed, particularly as much of it was sent from the crown princess’s official email account.

After initially expressing regret over what was described as poor judgment, Mette-Marit has now gone further. She confirmed that she borrowed Epstein’s Palm Beach estate and described the relationship as embarrassing in hindsight. She apologised publicly and said she now regrets all contact with him.

Reaction has been severe. Veteran editor Harald Stanghelle said the issue went beyond embarrassment and reflected a serious failure of judgment. Others questioned why palace advisers and security staff failed to intervene, warning that the monarchy’s credibility has been damaged at a critical moment.

The scandal has also widened beyond the royal family. Several prominent Norwegian figures have been named in the Epstein files, prompting further apologies and political pressure. Former foreign minister Børge Brende admitted regret over an exchange with Epstein involving offensive comments about a public figure. Former prime minister Thorbjørn Jagland and diplomat Terje Rød-Larsen have also faced renewed scrutiny, with Labour Party members calling on them to resign over past associations.

Neither Mette-Marit nor Crown Prince Haakon will attend their son’s trial. Haakon has said the family situation is deeply challenging and has expressed sympathy for the alleged victims. While criticism of the crown princess has been fierce, public sympathy has also emerged for King Harald, Queen Sonja and the broader institution of the monarchy, which many Norwegians still support despite the mounting scandals.