Post by : Bianca
Haleem
Norway Crown Princess Mette-Marit has said she was "manipulated and deceived" by convicted US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, addressing controversy over their past relationship.
In an interview with public broadcaster NRK, Mette-Marit expressed deep regret over her association with Epstein. She admitted she did not properly investigate his background at the time.
"Of course I wish I had never met him," she said, adding that it was important for her to acknowledge the mistake and how she was misled.
Mette-Marit, who married Crown Prince Haakon in 2001, came under scrutiny after her name appeared in documents released earlier this year by the US Department of Justice. The files suggested a closer connection between her and Epstein than previously known.
Clarifying the nature of their relationship, she stated that it was purely friendly. "He was a friend to me, but there was no other kind of relationship," she said, rejecting speculation.
Epstein, who pleaded guilty in 2008 to charges related to soliciting a minor, died in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
The controversy has affected the royal’s public image, raising questions in Norway about her future role as queen.
The issue comes at a difficult time for Mette-Marit, as her son, Marius Borg Hoiby, is currently facing serious legal charges. He has been accused in multiple cases, including rape and assault, and could face up to 16 years in prison if convicted.
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