If 2025 was the annus horribilis for the Norwegian Monarchy, this 2026 could not have started worse for an institution that has gone from enjoying decades of unparalleled stability and citizen support to being shaken by all kinds of scandals. The declassification in the US of three million new documents related to the pedophile businessman Jeffrey Epstein hits hard at the Crown Princess, Mette-Marit, whose name appears in hundreds of these files.
It was known that Haakon's wife had some kind of friendship with Epstein, something she admitted back in 2019, after it was revealed by the newspaper DN, and that the Royal House spokespersons emphasized as a gesture of total transparency from the future queen consort of the Scandinavian country. However, just like what happened to the former Prince Andrew of England, that is, that his half-truths and sugar-coated versions of his relationship with Epstein backfired when new sordid details emerged, the same is happening now to Mette-Marit, as what transpires from these hundreds of documents that are seeing the light for the first time is that the friendship with the magnate was much more intense than she had ever admitted. In fact, the exchange of messages shows that they shared intimacies: he worried about her health; she, about finding him a partner. In an email, the princess even said: "Paris is good for adultery". In another, he said to her, referring to Nabokov's works, author of Lolita: "Now I see why you like these books."
As Norwegian media are revealing, the relationship between the Crown Princess and Epstein extended between 2011 and 2013, within a social circle and through common acquaintances. (She had married Haakon in 2001, becoming the protagonist of a modern version of the Cinderella story in European dynasties.) But those dates are crucial. Because the financier began to be the focus of multiple investigations for sexual crimes against minors in 2005. And, three years later, he reached a controversial legal agreement that allowed him to avoid federal charges in exchange for a mild sentence for prostitution. Although not long after, in 2019, he was arrested again for federal-level child sex trafficking. In other words, it was well known what kind of character Epstein was in the years when the daughter-in-law of King Harald enjoyed his friendship, something that has now completely shocked the Norwegians. And all this on the eve of the trial against the son that Mette-Marit brought to the marriage with the Heir, Marius Borg Hoiby, who will appear in the dock of the Oslo District Court on Tuesday to answer to 38 charges for various serious crimes, including rape, abuse, and drug trafficking.
The name of the future queen in the batch of declassified Epstein documents by the US Department of Justice is associated with multiple emails, contact lists, exchanges about medical arrangements, and travel records from the pedophile financier's circle. The messages in which Mette-Marit and Epstein discuss the possibility of her spending the night at a Palm Beach property owned by the financier are particularly striking.
The Oslo Palace confirmed this weekend to NRK that the princess used that residence for four days, accompanied by a friend, and was able to access it thanks to a common friend with Epstein. The declassified documents also include correspondence between Janusz Banaziak, Epstein's assistant, and the princess about a dental appointment. The Crown clarified to NRK that Epstein recommended a dentist to Mette-Marit, although the teeth whitening treatment ultimately did not take place as part of the treatment.
The files reveal that the relationship between Mette-Marit and Epstein began in January 2011, coinciding with the World Economic Forum in Davos. One of the attendees, Boris Nikolic, a scientific consultant for the foundation of Bill and Melinda Gates, met the princess in Switzerland. And, a month and a half later, Nikolic writes to Epstein to ask if he would be in New York in March. Because "a friend" was going to visit him. "She's not your typical royal, she's twisted," he says, along with a Google search about her: Mette-Marit.
"I googled you," the princess tells the businessman in one of their early communications. And in December of that same year, he wishes her a Merry Christmas. "From Jeff's island?" she responds, thus knowing about the place. "Yes," he replies, according to the documents released by Norwegian media.
Haakon's wife had numerous encounters with Epstein, apparently always with other common acquaintances, mostly in the United States, although they also met in Oslo. It is undeniable that it was a relationship of strong camaraderie.
Amidst the deep storm, in words collected by the VG newspaper, Mette-Marit has tried to apologize this weekend: "Jeffrey Epstein is responsible for his actions. I must take responsibility for not investigating his background better and for not quickly understanding what kind of person he was. I deeply regret it and it is a responsibility I must assume. I showed lack of judgment and regret having any contact with Epstein. It is simply shameful." The princess has also expressed her "deep sympathy and solidarity with the victims of the abuses committed by Jeffrey Epstein." In 2019, Mette-Marit already expressed regret for not being aware of the seriousness of the businessman's criminal acts.
At the moment, there is no evidence that Prince Haakon met or corresponded with the pedophile. In the height of the future queen's shameless relationship with the businessman, there are such ridiculous and reckless things as her making him part of the mockery for how "boring" the wedding of the then Crown Prince and now Grand Duke and Duchess of Luxembourg, Guillermo and Estefanía, had been in October 2012: "It was like some kind of old movie," Mette-Marit told her confidant.
Mette-Marit's support for her eldest son has been heavily criticized in Norway in recent months, to the point that a recent survey indicated that only 30% of citizens believe she can be a good queen consort. Now, perhaps that number will decrease even more. And the Royal House of the wealthy Nordic country is facing its deepest crisis.