Mette-Marit, Jeffrey Epstein and the Norwegian Monarchy
New Epstein files cast a serious light on Crown Princess Mette-Marit and raise fundamental questions about the monarchy as an institution and its future after the king’s death.
February 1, 2026 | SOCIETY
Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit. Photo by Dusan Reljin / The Royal Court Norway
It is difficult to imagine Mette-Marit becoming Queen of Norway after new Epstein files were published on Friday. The files show that Mette-Marit had close contact with Epstein from 2011 to 2014. Early in this relationship, Norway’s Crown Princess Googled Epstein and subsequently wrote to him in a message that “it does not look good.” Nevertheless, she continued her contact with the man later convicted of pedophilia.
Messages between the two testify to close, confidential, and flirtatious contact. In addition, Mette-Marit is mentioned in messages exchanged between a mutual friend and Epstein. The messages are not suitable for reproduction, but links to both the files and media outlets that have examined the Epstein files can be below.
According to VG, Mette-Marit responded to the newsroom in a comment:
– Jeffrey Epstein is himself responsible for his actions. I must take responsibility for not checking Epstein’s background more thoroughly and for not understanding quickly enough what kind of person he was. I deeply regret this, and this is a responsibility I must take. I showed poor judgment and regret that I had any contact with Epstein at all. It is simply embarrassing. The Crown Princess also says that she wishes to express her deep sympathy and solidarity with the victims of the abuses committed by Jeffrey Epstein.
Mette-Marit is, according to Crown Prince Haakon, going on a private trip abroad during the trial of her son, Marius Borg Hoiby, which begins on Tuesday. Hoiby is charged with, among other things, rape and domestic violence. Where Mette-Marit is currently staying is not known, and at the time of writing neither Crown Prince Haakon, Queen Sonja nor King Harald has commented on the new information that has emerged regarding Mette-Marit’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.
The Crown Princess has received sympathy in Norway after it became known before Christmas that her lung disease is developing in such a way that a lung transplant at some point become necessary. This was among the topics addressed in the annual documentary and interview programme The Year with the Royal Family, which was broadcast on NRK TV on Christmas Day. In the programme, the Crown Prince and Crown Princess stated that the situation involving their son/stepson is very difficult. The Crown Princess further says that she finds it unfair that criticism is directed at her as a mother and at them as parents.
The Crown Princess had a troubled background when she entered the royal family. This was followed by negative media coverage concerning Mette-Marit’s father, Sven O. Hoiby, her brother Espen Hoiby, and Marius’ father, Morten Borg. Last autumn, two books were published dealing with Marius Borg Hoiby: White Stripes, Black Sheeps and Out of Control.
The latest Epstein files have triggered renewed debate about the future of the monarchy. In September last year, an opinion poll showed that support for the monarchy had increased to 73 percent. The poll was conducted after Netflix aired the controversial documentary Royal Rebels about Princess Märtha and her husband, Durek. The documentary generated major headlines, and in the poll referenced, seven out of ten Norwegians believed that Märtha should lose her princess title, a move the King rejected in the programme The Year with the Royal Family.
Mette-Marit’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein is far more serious than any other controversy that has affected the Norwegian royal family. It not only gives renewed life to questions concerning the Norwegian Police Security Service that have been raised following the charges against Marius Borg Hoiby, but also to questions about national security. The Norwegian population values Queen Sonja and King Harald, and support for them will likely increase, but the future of the royal house appears bleak. It is difficult to imagine Mette-Marit becoming queen after this, and several voices are now calling for the monarchy to end with the King, who turns 89 on 21 February.
The monarchy as a constitutional form of government does not appear viable in the age of information, either for the state or for the monarchs, and would therefore have to transition into another form. The royals must commit themselves at a deeper level than what we now see Mette-Marit has done. She chose this herself, but clearly did not understand what it entailed. Crown Prince Haakon and Princess Ingrid Alexandra were born into the line of succession, but it should not be taken for granted that they carry the monarchy forward, either for themselves or for the people. It must be a deliberate choice – both born and married-in royals must understand, accept, and live by what the role entails.
SOURCES
Department of Justice
Official DOJ disclosures related to the Epstein filesNRK
Crown Princess Mette-Marit travels abroad during her son’s court caseAftenposten
How the Royal House changed its explanation of the Crown Princess’s contact with EpsteinAftenposten
Mette-Marit and Epstein discussed an image of naked womenDagbladet
Paris is good for infidelityiNyheter
Email from 2011: “What happened to Mette, will she carry your child?”TV 2
Expert reacts to one detail about Mette-Marit’s visit to the Epstein houseDagbladet
New poll shows a clear increase