Norwegian Princess Apologizes for Epstein Contacts

The heir to the Norwegian throne expresses regret over her ties to the late convicted sex offender.

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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The heir to the Norwegian throne, Princess Mette-Marit, issued an apology on Friday to those she has "disappointed" after days of scrutiny over her contacts with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The princess acknowledged that her association with Epstein was "unwise" and said she regrets the pain it has caused.

Why it matters

The Norwegian royal family is highly respected, and the princess' connections to Epstein have raised concerns about her judgment and the potential damage to the monarchy's reputation. Her apology is an attempt to mitigate the fallout from the revelations.

The details

Princess Mette-Marit, the wife of Crown Prince Haakon, said she met Epstein a handful of times between 2011 and 2013, and that she was unaware of the full extent of his criminal history at the time. She said she deeply regrets the association and the pain it has caused.

  • Princess Mette-Marit issued her apology on Friday, February 6, 2026.
  • Her contacts with Epstein occurred between 2011 and 2013.

The players

Princess Mette-Marit

The heir to the Norwegian throne and the wife of Crown Prince Haakon.

Jeffrey Epstein

The late convicted sex offender with whom Princess Mette-Marit had contacts between 2011 and 2013.

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What they’re saying

“I have made mistakes and I am truly sorry. I take full responsibility for my actions and for the pain they have caused.”

— Princess Mette-Marit (myplainview.com)

The takeaway

The princess' apology is an attempt to limit the damage to the Norwegian royal family's reputation following the revelation of her contacts with the disgraced financier Epstein. It remains to be seen whether the public will accept her explanation and regret over the association.