Norwegian Prime Minister (PM) Jonas Gahr Støre said on Monday that Crown Princess Mette-Marit displayed poor judgement in maintaining contact with convicted US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following the release of new documents detailing their communications.
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Fresh files published by the US Justice Department last week included extensive email exchanges between Epstein and Mette-Marit that continued after Epstein was convicted of child sex crimes in 2008. The revelations have renewed scrutiny of the Norwegian royal family at a particularly sensitive time.
On Saturday, Mette-Marit apologised for her contacts with Epstein, acknowledging that she had shown poor judgement. Speaking to reporters on Monday, Støre said he agreed with her assessment. “I am really using her own words. She says she has showed bad judgement. I agree,” he said, adding that he had not been in contact with the royal palace regarding the matter.
🇺🇸🇳🇴 “Jeffrey Epstein is responsible for his actions. I must take responsibility for not checking Epstein’s background better and for not understanding quickly enough what kind of person he was. I showed poor judgment, and I regret ever having any contact with Epstein. It is… pic.twitter.com/F6cVoltKC5
— Lord Bebo (@MyLordBebo) February 1, 2026
The prime minister also said that Mette-Marit, along with other prominent Norwegians named in the newly released Epstein documents, should provide greater clarity about the nature and extent of their involvement. “The information that has emerged has shed more light on the matter than what has been said before,” Støre said, suggesting further explanations may be warranted.
In a statement issued via the royal palace, Mette-Marit said she regretted not investigating Epstein’s background more thoroughly and described her continued contact with him as “simply embarrassing”.
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The controversy comes as the royal family faces mounting challenges. Mette-Marit’s eldest son, Marius Borg Høiby, from a relationship prior to her marriage to Crown Prince Haakon, is due to stand trial this week on charges including rape and domestic violence.
Despite recent controversies, Norway’s monarchy remains broadly popular. A Norstat poll published last week found that around 70 per cent of Norwegians continue to support the institution, though the survey was conducted before the latest Epstein documents were released.