Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway has given a much-anticipated interview on her contacts with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, which is due to be broadcast by NRK TV on Friday.
The interview was recorded with Crown Prince Haakon at their residence in Skaugum on Thursday, as her son Marius Borg Høiby's rape trial neared its end at Oslo District Court.
His trial began at the start of February amidst growing questions regarding the crown princess's links to Epstein, revealed in hundreds of emails.
Mette-Marit has apologized, admitting to poor judgment but insisted she needed time before elaborating on the matter.
As scrutiny grew over her relationship with Epstein, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre noted that she had displayed poor judgment, marking a rare instance of public criticism directed at a royal figure.
Despite remaining absent from the trial, the timing of her interview suggests she and Crown Prince Haakon were waiting for the proceedings to conclude before making a public statement.
The trial has captivated Norway, with Høiby facing multiple charges including rape and serious assault. He denies the most severe allegations, seeking a lesser sentence for lesser charges including marijuana transport and reckless driving.
The emergence of more than a hundred emails linking Mette-Marit to Epstein intensified public scrutiny. She was found to have spent time at Epstein's residence, consulting online regarding his past, which she later acknowledged was concerning.
Alongside personal struggles, including her health, Mette-Marit’s situation underscores the pressures of royal life amidst scandal, with some organizations ending collaborations with her.
The Norwegian public is also grappling with the implications of an independent inquiry into the foreign ministry's ties with Epstein, emphasized by recent statements from the Prime Minister underscoring the importance of trust in democracy.
