• Crown Princess Mette-Marit deeply regrets her friendship with Jeffrey Epstein.
• Her apology has heightened scrutiny on her position within the Norwegian royal family.
• Norway’s Prime Minister has called for more transparency regarding Mette-Marit’s communications with Epstein.
• The controversies are compounded by legal issues facing her son, Marius Borg Høiby.
• Polling indicates significant public doubt about her potential to become queen.

Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway has publicly apologized for her friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, expressing her deep regret over the embarrassment it has caused the royal family. In a statement released by the palace, she noted, "I deeply regret my friendship with Jeffrey Epstein. It is important for me to apologize to all of those whom I have disappointed," and added that she specifically regrets the situation faced by the King and Queen due to her actions, according to Reuters, South China Morning Post, Los Angeles Times, and Le Monde.

The apology follows the release of U.S. Justice Department files revealing extensive email correspondence between Mette-Marit and Epstein between 2011 and 2014, including discussions that raised public concerns regarding her suitability to become queen. Opinion polls indicate that nearly half of Norwegians believe she should not assume the role, with only a third expressing support for her, as noted in multiple sources including South China Morning Post and Los Angeles Times.

Additionally, Norway's Prime Minister, Jonas Gahr Støre, has urged Mette-Marit to clarify the nature of her communications with Epstein, emphasizing the importance of transparency amid growing scrutiny of her past associations. These revelations coincide with ongoing serious legal issues concerning her son, Marius Borg Høiby, who is on trial facing multiple charges including rape, which further complicates the family's public image, according to Reuters, South China Morning Post, and Los Angeles Times.

Furthermore, Mette-Marit has been dealing with personal health struggles, including an incurable lung disease that may require a transplant in the future. The escalating controversies surrounding her name in connection with Epstein have not only affected her mental well-being but have also drawn in other notable Norwegians linked to the scandal, like former Prime Minister Thorbjørn Jagland, who is currently under investigation for “aggravated corruption,” highlighting the extensive ramifications of the Epstein situation in Norway, as reported by Le Monde.