Norway’s crown princess Mette-Marit has apologised for her friendship with Jeffrey Epstein after the latest release of files about the late convicted sex offender.
Crown Princess Mette-Marit said on Friday that she “must take responsibility for not having investigated Epstein’s background more thoroughly, and for not realising 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.”
“I also apologise for the situation that I have put the royal family in, especially the King and Queen,” Crown Princess Mette-Marit said.
Her statement comes after the latest tranche of files concerning Epstein revealed that she had extensive email contact with him after he was found guilty of child sex crimes in 2008.
The documents show that Crown Princess Mette-Marit used one of Epstein’s properties in Palm Beach, Florida, in 2013.
Appearing in the Epstein files release does not imply any wrongdoing.
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Crown Princess Mette-Marit said in 2019 that she regretted having had contact with Epstein.
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The files emerged as Norway‘s royal family came under scrutiny as Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s son, Marius Borg Hoiby, went on trial for rape and domestic violence offences.
Epstein died in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. His death was ruled as suicide.
