OSLO — The Norwegian Royal House is facing its most severe crisis in a generation as the US Department of Justice released over 3 million pages of investigative files related to Jeffrey Epstein on Friday, January 30, 2026. The documents reveal that Crown Princess Mette-Marit, 52, maintained a much closer and longer association with the convicted sex offender than she had publicly acknowledged in 2019.
1. The “Naked Women” Wallpaper Exchange
Perhaps the most damaging revelation involves an email from November 2012, where the Crown Princess sought parenting advice from Epstein regarding her son, Marius Borg Høiby, who was 15 at the time.
- The Email: Mette-Marit asked Epstein: “Is it inappropriate for a mother to suggest two naked women carrying a surfboard for my 15 yr old son’s wallpaper?”
- The Response: Epstein, a known sexual predator, replied: “Let them decide, mother should stay out of it.”
- The Context: This exchange took place four years after Epstein’s 2008 conviction for procuring a minor for prostitution—a fact Mette-Marit admitted to being aware of at the time.
2. “You Tickle My Brain”: A Flirtatious Paper Trail
The files include scores of emails exchanged between 2011 and 2014, painting a picture of a personal and sometimes flirtatious friendship.
- Intimate Tone: In various messages, the Crown Princess told Epstein, “You tickle my brain,” and “You make me smile,” while frequently calling him “such a sweetheart” and “charming.”
- Wife Hunting: When Epstein mentioned he was “wife hunting” in Paris in 2012, Mette-Marit joked that the city was “good for adultery” and suggested that “Scandis make better wife material.”
- The Google Admission: Most critically, a 2011 email shows Mette-Marit telling Epstein she had “Googled” him and admitted the results “didn’t look too good :)”—yet she continued the association for three more years.
3. Stays at the “Rape Villa” and Palm Beach
The documents clarify the logistics of their meetings, contradicting previous efforts by the Palace to minimize the contact.
- The Florida Stay: In 2013, Mette-Marit stayed at Epstein’s Palm Beach mansion for four days. While Epstein was reportedly not present, she allegedly brought her personal “guru” to the residence.
- Medical Recommendations: Epstein reportedly arranged cosmetic procedures and “dentist tips” (specifically teeth-whitening) for the Crown Princess during her visits to the U.S.
4. Double Blow: The Marius Borg Høiby Trial
The release of these files comes at a disastrous time for the monarchy. Mette-Marit’s son, Marius Borg Høiby (29), is set to stand trial in Oslo starting Tuesday, February 3, 2026.
- The Charges: Høiby faces 38 criminal counts, including the rape of four women, serious narcotics offenses (transporting 3.5kg of marijuana), and domestic violence.
- Palace Scandal: New allegations suggest Mette-Marit may have warned her son of his impending arrest in 2024 and helped him destroy evidence—claims the Palace has not explicitly denied.
The Royal Response (Saturday, Jan 31, 2026)
In a formal statement to broadcaster NRK, the Crown Princess expressed “deep regret.”
“I showed poor judgment and regret having any contact with Epstein at all. It is simply embarrassing. I must take responsibility for not checking Epstein’s background better and not understanding quickly enough what kind of person he was.”