Norwegian Princess Mette-Marit's emails in new Epstein files

by · UPI

Feb. 2 (UPI) -- Emails from Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit are in the latest cache of files from the Justice Department's release of documents from the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Mette-Marit, 52, is married to the future king of Norway, Crown Prince Haakon. She is the future Queen.

The latest batch of Epstein files includes more than 1,000 mentions of Mette-Marit, including many emails between the two. The emails show they were in contact from 2011-2014. She married Haakon in 2001.

Mette-Marit released a statement Saturday addressing the files: "I showed poor judgment and regret having any contact with Epstein at all. It is simply embarrassing."

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She expressed her "deep sympathy and solidarity with the victims of the abuses committed by Jeffrey Epstein."

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre has said he agrees with Mette-Marit that she showed "poor judgement," but declined to comment further.

In the emails, Mette-Marit tells Epstein that he is "soft-hearted" and said in one, "You always make me smile. Because you tickle my brain." She also said he was "such a sweetheart."

One email showed her asking whether a mother should suggest wallpaper for her teen son's room depicting naked women carrying a surfboard.

She and Epstein also emailed each other about his "wife hunt" in Paris. She told him that Paris is "good for adultery" and that "Scandis (are) better wife material."

The emails often mention plans to visit, and files also show that he stayed at his house in Palm Beach, Fla., in 2013 while he wasn't there.

The Norwegian royal palace said she stopped communicating with Epstein in 2014 because she felt he was "trying to use his relationship with the crown princess as leverage with other people."

The Norwegian royal family is already embroiled in a scandal with Mette-Marit's oldest son Marius Borg Høiby, who was a child when she married Haakon. Høiby faces 38 charges including the alleged rape of four women and alleged assault and drug charges. He faces up to 16 years in prison. Høiby denied the most serious charges.

His seven-week trial is set to begin on Tuesday in Oslo. Haakon told reporters that Mette-Marit will be away on a private vacation during the trial. The Norwegian Royal Court said of the case in August, "It is for the courts to consider this matter and reach a decision. We have no further comment."

Last week, Haakon said of the Høiby case, "Our thoughts are with everyone who is affected by this case ... we understand that this is a difficult time for many of you, and we sympathize."

He also said that while Høiby isn't officially part of the royal family, "We care about him, and he is an important member of our family."

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