Norway's Crown Princess apologises for Epstein link, says she did not understand who he was; husband backs her

Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit was one of the first celebrities to issue a statement as soon as her name came up in the latest release of Epstein Files. She again issued a statement Friday and this time she apologised for her friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. This is only one of the scandals to have hit the Norwegian Royal Family in recent weeks.

"We understand the strong reactions people have had to what has emerged in recent days. The Crown Princess strongly distances herself from Epstein's abuse and criminal actions. She deeply regrets not having understood earlier what kind of person he was. The Crown Princess wishes to talk about what happened and to explain herself more fully. She is not able to do so at this time. The Crown Princess is in a very demanding situation. She hopes for understanding, as she needs time to gather herself," the statement issued by the Royal Family said.




Her husband Crown Prince Haakon said his family is going through a difficult time which also stems from the rape trial of the Crown Princess's son Marius. Marius is not Haakon's stepson.

"For me, the most important thing these past few days has been to take care of the flock," Haakon told reporters on the sidelines of an official royal visit, referring to his family. "We support Marius in the situation he is in. We look after the other children as well... They also need to be cared for, and I have to make sure to take care of the Crown Princess."

The Crown Prince said the princess suffers from a chronic lung condition and that's why she can't speak now. But she is willing to explain herself.

Mette-Marit, in one of her email, informed Epstein that she 'Googles' about him and "it did not look good". In 2012, Epstein wrote to the Crown Princess that he was on a wife hunt. "What is the weather like? I am on my wife hunt. Paris is proving interesting, but I prefer Scandinavians," Epstein wrote. "Freezing [sic] Snow Yesterday," Mette-Marit wrote back. "Paris good for adultery [sic] Scandis better wife material." She added that "But then again [sic] Who am I to talk?" In other emails, the Crown Princess called Epstein charming and a sweetheart. In one, she asked Epstein if it was inappropriate for her as a mother to suggest two naked women carrying a surfboard for her 15-year-old son's wallpaper.