King Harald of Norway praised Crown Princess Mette‑Marit for ending her friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein "very early," during a publiic appearance in Vestland on May 30. the commendation came as the royal family faced a cascade of crises, including Queen Sonja’s recent heart‑related hospitalization and Mette‑Marit’s battle with pulmonary fibrosis.

Harald praises Mette‑Marit for cutting ties with Epstein early

According to Hello! magazine, the 89‑year‑old monarch said he only learned of the Crown Princess’s connection to Epstein when the media reported it, and he emphasized that she "broke the connection very early" and had done nothing illegal. By highlighting the timing of the break, Harald sought to separate the princess from the scandal that has engulfed other high‑profile figures linked to the financier.

Mette‑Marit’s pulmonary fibrosis diagnosis in 2018 fuels public concern

The Crown Princess was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis in 2018, a progressive lung disease that scar‑tissues the lungs and makes breathing increasingly difficult. King Harald reiterated that she is "seriously ill," noting that she was recently seen with a nasal cannula and an oxygen tank during Norway’s Constitution Day parade . The visibility of her medical equipment has drawn sympathy but also intensified scrutiny of her capacity to fulfil royal duties.

Epstein Files reveal 2013 Palm Beach stay and lingering email contact

The released Epstein Files showed that Mette‑Marit stayed at Epstein’s Palm Beach residence in 2013, months after his 2008 conviction for soliciting sex from minors as young as 14. An email disclosed in the files suggested she remained in contact with Epstein shortly before his 2019 death , prompting a public apology in which she said the messages "do not represent the person I want to be." The royal household has stressed that no criminal wrongdoing has been proven.

Royal family health crisis amid Queen Sonja’s heart problems

Queen Sonja, 88, was admitted to Oslo’s National Hospital on May 27 for heart complications and later discharged in improved condition, according to King Harald. Her recent pacemaker implantation and ongoing cardiac monitring add another layer of vulnerability to the monarchy, which is already under pressure from Mette‑Marit’s illness and the legal troubles of her stepson.

Stepson Marius Borg Høiby’s pending rape trial looms over the throne

In June 2024, Marius Borg Høiby, the Crown Princess’s stepson, faced multiple charges including rape, sexual assault, and bodily harm... The Norwegian court is set to deliver a verdict on June 15, a development that could further tarnish the royal family’s reputation. While the Crown Princess has limited public engagements, the trial’s timing coincides with her own health battles, compounding the family’s challenges.

What legal repercussions could Mette‑Marit face?

Despite the public outcry, there is no evidence that Mette‑Marit violated any Norwegian law in her association with Epstein, and King Harald explicitly stated she "has not done anything illegal." However, the lingering question remains whehter any future investigations could uncover undisclosed financial transactions or undisclosed communications that might trigger legal scrutiny.