Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit has expressed her regret over having ever met the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. In her first public comments on the matter since the details of her past interactions were revealed, she stated that she feels manipulated and deceived.
I feel so manipulated, and when you are manipulated, you don't realise it from the start, Mette-Marit shared during a 20-minute interview aired on national television. The princess, who was emotionally charged during the interview, conveyed her feelings of sorrow and concern for Epstein's victims.
Recent disclosures have shown that Mette-Marit maintained a correspondence with Epstein from 2011 to 2014, including staying at his Florida residence during his absence. She emphasized the importance of taking responsibility for her actions, admitting poor judgment in not fully investigating his background.
Her public apology follows intense public scrutiny and pressure from Norwegian authorities, including Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. Throughout the interview, Mette-Marit remained on the defensive, often deflecting inquiries about her judgment and the depth of her ties to Epstein.
Of course I wish I had never met him, the crown princess asserted, highlighting her anger over the lack of justice for Epstein's victims. She expressed her hope that speaking out would help in some measure, understanding that she had not only been deceived but had also deceived others.
Mette-Marit acknowledged her previous connections to Epstein but cited the need for privacy regarding her personal contacts as a reason for not disclosing her relationship sooner. Observers of the royal family noted that while she attempts to navigate her public duties amidst health concerns, the controversy surrounding her past associations may impact her future roles in the royal palace.
