Royal Scandal: Princess's Epstein Ties Spark Outrage - What Happens Now?!

Norway's Prime Minister, Jonas Gahr Støre, has waded into the murky waters surrounding Crown Princess Mette-Marit's past associations with the late Jeffrey Epstein, agreeing that she exhibited "poor judgement" in her interactions with the disgraced financier. This comes as the release of previously sealed documents continues to ripple through the Norwegian royal family, adding fuel to a fire that already burns bright due to other controversies.

Royal Scandal: Princess's Epstein Ties Spark Outra...

The Princess's name crops up hundreds of times in files recently released by the U.S. Department of Justice, covering a period between 2011 and 2014. Now, normally I wouldn't pay too much attention to old news, but the sheer volume of mentions, combined with the timing - as her son, Marius Borg Høiby, prepares to face a high-profile trial - makes this impossible to ignore.

Mette-Marit, who married Crown Prince Haakon and is poised to become queen, had previously expressed "deep sympathy and solidarity" with Epstein's victims. However, Støre's remarks take things a step further. While he didn't explicitly condemn her, his alignment with her own "poor judgement" assessment is being viewed as an implicit, and rather unusual, criticism. He also noted that former Prime Minister Thorbjørn Jagland had "poor judgement" after planning a family holiday on Epstein's private island but later cancelling it. It just goes to show you, even politicians are having a hard time escaping Epstein's shadow.

The details emerging from the released files paint a concerning picture. Apparently, Princess Mette-Marit spent four days at Epstein's Palm Beach residence in January 2013. One email, allegedly from the HRH Crown Princess account, even inquired about whether she should suggest wallpaper featuring naked women carrying a surfboard for her son. Yes, you read that right. It’s the kind of detail that, frankly, leaves you speechless.

Unsurprisingly, the content of these correspondences has sparked outrage in Norway. Commentators are pointing to one particular message that seems to indicate an awareness of Epstein's initial jail term in 2008. And the royal family's troubles don't end there. Between Princess Märtha Louise's controversial marriage to an American shaman and Mette-Marit's ongoing battle with pulmonary fibrosis, they seem to be constantly fighting fires.

Adding to the drama, Mette-Marit's 29-year-old son, Marius Borg Høiby, is currently facing a seven-week trial on a staggering 38 charges, including rape and assault. While he denies the most serious allegations, the case is undeniably casting a long shadow. He could face a minimum of 10 years in prison if convicted. No members of the royal family will attend the trial, but Crown Prince Haakon did issue an emotional statement last week, expressing sympathy for those affected by the case. It’s a messy situation, to say the least, and one that’s likely to keep the Norwegian royal family in the headlines for quite some time.