One month ago, it was revealed that Crown Princess Mette-Marit (52) had extensive and confidential contact with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The Crown Princess has avoided the public eye for just as long. Her last official engagement was when she visited Fredrikstad Library with the Crown Prince on January 28, a few days before the Epstein scandal turned the country upside down.
The palace states to Nettavisen that the Crown Princess wants to tell about what happened and explain herself in more detail, and that she hopes for understanding that she needs more time.
Now "everyone" is waiting for an answer from Mette-Marit, while the pressure on her increases.
In a VG poll from last Friday, 53.1 percent believe that the Crown Princess has spent an unacceptably long time explaining her relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.
Several of the organizations for which Crown Princess Mette-Marit is a patron have also requested clarification about the Epstein relationship before deciding on further cooperation.
Marianne Melfald is an advisor in crisis management and crisis communication. She believes that the Palace has clearly failed in its handling of the Epstein scandal.
"Any crisis tests human character more than anything else. Royals are also people of flesh and blood, and the total amount of stress now can make the world's best strategy impossible to implement. Perhaps this race is too tough for Mette-Marit now," Melfald tells Nettavisen.
Melfald has herself given advice to people in life crises. It is only when the person has recovered somewhat that one can begin to take charge and rebuild broken trust, she says.
"In any case, it is remarkable that such a serious matter is not followed up with alternative measures when the most natural thing, a press conference with Mette-Marit, clearly cannot be carried out," she says.
In some cases, it might be wise to sit back and let a case burn out, the expert explains. But this case is too big and serious for that to happen, Melfald believes.
"This goes beyond the trust in the royal house as an institution. The contract with the people is about having mutual trust and respect for each other. It is not difficult to see that this is demanding for the royals, but they are not an ordinary family. They are the symbol of something that should unite us," she says.
Now it is urgent for the royal family to step in:
"The race is not over, but it requires quick action, hard work and a penance from Mette-Marit that feels honest and authentic."
Marianne Melfald points to three points that are crucial for the royal family now. First, the crown prince couple must show that they have understood the seriousness of the matter and explain what has happened, the expert believes.
"They must acknowledge the biggest victims in this case, and it is not themselves. And then they must clarify what they have learned from the case, and give us confidence that this cannot happen again. They must also clear up the inferno of facts and rumors, even where there is painful, personal information," she says.
The expert says that this requires hard work and good craftsmanship, and not least a genuine desire to improve.
"We need to see a clear character that inspires respect and gives renewed confidence. Perhaps this race is too tough for Mette Marit now. A good strategy is no better than the opportunity to put it into practice. Then the Palace must think of alternative measures and perhaps make some tough decisions. And it is urgent," says the communications expert.
Nettavisen's royal expert, Tove Taalesen, agrees that the royal family has failed in its handling of the matter. She is particularly concerned that the Crown Princess – a month after the scandal broke – has still not explained herself.
"Now it looks like contempt for the public. It's starting to look like a farce. There's a strange silence from Mette-Marit," says Taalesen.
The royal expert points out that other Norwegians who have had contact with Epstein have either lost their positions, been suspended or placed under investigation.
"The silence testifies to a lack of understanding of who she is actually called to serve. Silence may be wise in a private crisis, but Mette-Marit is not a private person. This is about judgment in a public role."
– Why do you think this is taking so long?
"Either she can't. Or she doesn't dare. There will be speculation, but the options are few. Either she's too sick to stand up. Or she's waiting in fear that there will be more revelations."
Tove Taalesen has no doubt that the case could have major consequences for the royal family, and says that time is working against them.
"This time we are already seeing the consequences. Support for the monarchy is falling. The public tone has become harsher. And the most serious thing: Young people are laughing. When the generation that will carry on the monarchy meets the institution with irony instead of respect, then you have a real problem," she concludes.
The palace does not wish to comment on the criticism that has emerged in this case.
Posted by CreativeBandicoot778