Norway’s crown princess says she was ‘manipulated’ by Epstein in new interview
Global News
The Epstein files revealed consistent communication between the royal and Epstein, including after he was convicted of child sex trafficking offences in 2008.
The Crown Princess of Norway, Mette-Marit, said on Friday that she regretted her friendship with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after extensive correspondence between the two came to light in recent weeks.
The U.S. Justice Department’s recent release of millions of Epstein-related documents revealed the disgraced financier’s relationships with many powerful and influential people, including the crown princess, among other high-ranking politicians, business executives and diplomats.
During a Friday interview with Norway’s public broadcaster, NRK, the crown princess said she was “manipulated and deceived” by Epstein.
“Of course, I wish I had never met him,” she added.
The files revealed consistent communication between the royal and Epstein, including after he was convicted of child sex trafficking offences in 2008. Previous documents had shown communication between the two, but files released earlier this year uncovered a more extensive relationship than was previously known.
The 52-year-old crown princess has not been accused of any criminal wrongdoing in relation to Epstein.
On Friday, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere said it was important Mette-Marit had answered questions about her relationship with Epstein.
“She regretted her contact with him and she was genuinely remorseful. She took responsibility for not having checked his background more thoroughly,” he said in an emailed statement to Reuters.
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