Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit is finally set to speak publicly about her connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein — and the timing of her long-awaited interview is no accident. Recorded at the royal residence in Skaugum on Thursday, the interview with NRK TV is scheduled to air on Friday, arriving just as her son Marius Borg Høiby’s rape trial at Oslo District Court nears its conclusion.
For weeks, the crown princess has faced mounting pressure to explain herself. Hundreds of emails reportedly brought her links to Epstein to light, triggering a wave of public scrutiny that has shadowed the Norwegian royal family throughout the early months of 2025. Now, with the trial winding down, she and Crown Prince Haakon appear to have decided the moment to speak has finally arrived.
The convergence of two separate but deeply personal crises — one involving her own contacts with a notorious sex offender, the other involving her son facing serious criminal charges — has made this one of the most turbulent periods in the modern history of the Norwegian monarchy.
What the Epstein Connection Is Actually About
Crown Princess Mette-Marit had already issued a public apology before the NRK interview was announced, acknowledging she had shown “poor judgement” in her dealings with Epstein. That admission, while significant, left many questions unanswered — and the public, along with Norwegian media, wanted more.
She had indicated at the time that she needed space before explaining herself in greater detail. The decision to record the interview with Crown Prince Haakon at their Skaugum residence — rather than through a written statement or solo appearance — suggests the royal couple wanted to present a united front when addressing what has become one of the most sensitive royal controversies in Norway in recent memory.
The scrutiny intensified further when Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre weighed in, publicly agreeing that the crown princess had exercised poor judgement. That kind of direct criticism of a royal figure from a sitting head of government is unusual in Norway, and it signalled just how seriously the situation was being taken at the highest levels of Norwegian public life.
Her Son’s Trial: A Separate but Parallel Crisis
Running alongside the Epstein story, the rape trial of Marius Borg Høiby — Mette-Marit’s son — began at the start of February at Oslo District Court. The seven-week trial unfolded largely without the crown princess present in the courtroom, though it cast a long shadow over the royal family throughout its duration.
The decision by Mette-Marit and Crown Prince Haakon to wait until the trial neared its end before giving their public interview appears to have been a deliberate one. Going public while proceedings were still active could have drawn additional attention to the case, and the royal couple seemingly chose to let the legal process run its course first.
Crown Princess Mette-Marit had last appeared with Crown Prince Haakon on Norwegian television on Christmas Day in December 2025, making the upcoming NRK broadcast her most significant public appearance since the dual scandals emerged.
Key Facts at a Glance
Event
Detail
NRK Interview Recorded
Thursday, at Skaugum royal residence
Interview Broadcast Date
Friday (NRK TV)
Marius Borg Høiby Trial Start
Early February, Oslo District Court
Trial Duration
Seven weeks
Last Royal TV Appearance
Christmas Day, December 2025
PM Jonas Gahr Støre’s Comment
Agreed crown princess showed “poor judgement”
Hundreds of emails reportedly revealed Mette-Marit’s contacts with Jeffrey Epstein
The crown princess had previously issued an apology acknowledging poor judgement
Crown Prince Haakon joined her for the recorded NRK interview
Prime Minister Støre’s public criticism was described as a rare rebuke of a royal figure
Mette-Marit stayed away from her son’s trial throughout the proceedings
Why This Moment Matters Beyond Norway
The Epstein scandal has touched institutions and individuals across the world, but its reach into European royal families carries a particular weight. Norway’s monarchy has long maintained a reputation for being relatively close to the public — more accessible and less remote than some of its European counterparts. That image makes controversies like this one cut deeper.
When a prime minister feels compelled to publicly criticise a crown princess, and when that criticism is described as rare rather than routine, it reflects how far outside normal parameters this situation has moved. The Norwegian public and press have been watching closely, and the pressure on Mette-Marit to give a full account has clearly been substantial.
The interview’s broadcast on NRK — Norway’s national public broadcaster — ensures it will reach the widest possible domestic audience. What she says, and how she says it, will shape how the royal family is perceived for years to come.
What Happens After the Interview Airs
With the NRK interview set to broadcast Friday and the Oslo District Court trial drawing to a close, the Norwegian royal family is approaching what could be a turning point in a deeply difficult chapter. Whether the interview satisfies public and press demands for transparency remains to be seen.
The crown princess has already acknowledged fault in general terms. The question now is whether her more detailed account — given alongside Crown Prince Haakon — will provide the kind of specific answers that have so far been absent, and whether it will be enough to allow the family to begin moving forward.
The outcome of Marius Borg Høiby’s trial, once delivered by Oslo District Court, will also form a significant part of whatever comes next for the family publicly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s connection to Jeffrey Epstein?
Hundreds of emails reportedly revealed contacts between the crown princess and the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. She has already issued an apology and admitted to showing “poor judgement.”
When will the NRK interview with Crown Princess Mette-Marit air?
The interview, recorded at the Skaugum royal residence on Thursday with Crown Prince Haakon, is scheduled to broadcast on NRK TV on Friday.
What is Marius Borg Høiby on trial for?
Marius Borg Høiby, Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s son, is on trial for rape at Oslo District Court. The trial began in early February and lasted approximately seven weeks.
What did Norway’s Prime Minister say about the situation?
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre publicly agreed that Crown Princess Mette-Marit had exercised poor judgement — a comment described as a rare public criticism of a royal figure in Norway.
Why did the crown princess wait so long to give a detailed interview?
Mette-Marit indicated she needed time before explaining herself in greater detail. The timing of the interview, recorded as her son’s trial neared its end, suggests the royal couple waited for proceedings to conclude before speaking publicly.
When did Crown Princess Mette-Marit last appear on Norwegian television?
She last appeared with Crown Prince Haakon on Norwegian TV on Christmas Day in December 2025, making the upcoming NRK interview her first significant broadcast appearance since the scandals emerged.