Norway’s crown princess discussed ‘wife hunting’ with Jeffrey Epstein
Monday, 2 February 2026
Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway has described her past contact with Jeffrey Epstein as “embarrassing” and 'poor judgment”.
It comes after the release of millions of new documents by the US Department of Justice that included her 2011-14 correspondence with the late convicted sex offender.
Speaking to Norwegian broadcaster NRK, the royal expressed regret about that correspondence, which included messages about her family, a meeting at Epstein’s Florida home, and a discussion about “wife hunting,” in which the princess told Epstein Paris was “good for adultery” and that “Scandis [are] better wife material”.
“Jeffrey Epstein is responsible for his actions,” the princess told NRK. “I must take responsibility for not checking Epstein’s background better and for not understanding quickly enough what kind of person he was.”
She added: “I deeply regret that, and this is a responsibility I must take. I showed poor judgment and regret ever having any contact with Epstein. It is simply embarrassing.”
Mette-Marit was first linked to Epstein in 2019, when she acknowledged having met him several times between 2011 and 2013, including once at his Florida home and once during his visit to Oslo, People reported.
Her husband, Crown Prince Haakon, also briefly greeted Epstein in 2012 while on holiday in St Barts.
At the time of the meetings, Epstein had already served a jail term for sex offences, but Mette-Marit has maintained she was unaware of the full extent of his crimes.
“Partly, this [ending the association in 2013] was because she felt that Mr Epstein attempted to trade on the relationship he had to the crown princess, and use it for his own gain in other relations,” palace communications chief Guri Varpe said.
In her 2019 statement, the princess said: “We all have a responsibility to fight sexual assault and to support the victims. I wish to express my deepest sympathy and solidarity to the victims of Jeffrey Epstein.”