The crown princess of Norway, Mette-Marit, has become embroiled in a new scandal after her name appeared more than 1,000 times in the millions of Epstein files released last week.
The scandal comes as her eldest son, born before her marriage to Crown Prince Haakon, is set to go on trial on Tuesday on numerous charges, including rape.
Norwegian media shared messages between the princess and the US sex offender that were exchanged between 2011 and 2014.
Asked about the scandal by the press, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said he "agreed" that Mette-Marit had exercised poor judgement.
What did the Norwegian princess talk about with Epstein?
TL;DR: The discovery that Mette-Marit had had such extensive contact with Epstein came as a shock to many, but the content of their exchanges has only exacerbated the scandal.
The discovery that Mette-Marit had had such extensive contact with Epstein came as a shock to many, but the content of their exchanges has only exacerbated the scandal.
In one of the most shocking emails, the princess asks Epstein if it was "inappropriate for a mother to suggest two naked women carrying a surfboard for my 15 yr old son's wallpaper."
In another, in response to the sex offender saying he was on a "wife hunt" in Paris, Mette-Marit said the French capital is "good for adultery" and "Scandis [are] better wife material."
Epstein pleaded guilty to soliciting a minor for prostitution in 2008. Nevertheless, the Norwegian royal stayed at his house in Florida for four days in 2013.
US Justice Department releases new Epstein documents
TL;DR: I showed poor judgment and I deeply regret having had any contact with Epstein.
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
In defense of her relationship with Epstein, the 52-year-old said she took responsibility "for not having checked Epstein's background more closely and not understanding quickly enough what kind of person he was."
But in a message from 2011, she told him she had "googled" him and that "it didn't look too good," adding a smiling emoji at the end of the sentence.
"I showed poor judgment and I deeply regret having had any contact with Epstein. It is simply embarrassing," she said in a statement sent to news agency AFP by the royal palace.
What are the charges against the son of the Norwegian princess?
TL;DR: The revelation of the close relationship with Epstein comes on top of the legal troubles facing the princess's son.
The revelation of the close relationship with Epstein comes on top of the legal troubles facing the princess's son. This has increased the pressure on the royal, with one Norwegian newspaper asking if Mette-Marit will be able to become queen after this.
The son, Marius Borg Hoiby, was indicted in August on 38 counts, including rape, abuse in a relationship, acts of violence, transporting 3.5 kilos (7.7 pounds) of marijuana and death threats.
He has denied the majority of the charges.
Prosecutors are seeking a 10-year prison sentence for the 29-year-old. The trial is expected to last until mid-March.
Hoiby is the son of the princess from a previous relationship and holds no official title or duties. Nevertheless, the incident has cast a shadow over the generally popular royal family.
Curated by Marcus Thompson
