Crown Princess Mette-Marit has released a fresh statement following backlash after her name featured multiple times in the latest release of Epstein documents. The Norwegian royal, 52, who is married to the future King, Crown Prince Haakon, is in a "very demanding situation" and "needs time to gather herself", according to a news release from the royal house on Friday.
Mette-Marit, who appeared to tell convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein that he "tickle(s) my brain" and discussed "wife hunting" in the recently released emails, has now issued a public apology to King Harald V and Queen Sonja for the "situation", expressing her "deepest regret".
The updated statement, which was shared on the Royal Family's official Instagram accounts, read: "I would like to express my deepest regret for my friendship with Jeffrey Epstein. It is important for me to apologise to all of you that I have disappointed.
"Some of the content of the messages between Epstein and me does not represent the person I want to be. I also apologize for the situation that I have put the Royal Family in, especially the King and Queen."
© Corbis via Getty ImagesThe Palace explained that the Crown Princess hopes to "explain herself in more detail" over the coming weeks but is currently in a "demanding situation". "She hopes for understanding that she needs time to gather herself", the statement added.
The Palace continued: "We understand the strong reactions people have to what has emerged in recent days. The Crown Princess strongly disavows Epstein's abuse and criminal acts. She is very sorry for not having understood early enough what kind of person he was."
It is a tense time for the family, as the Crown Princess's son, Marius Borg Høiby, is currently on trial at Oslo District Court, where he faces 38 charges, including four counts of rape.
Crown Prince Haakon speaks out
Crown Prince Haakon, heir to the Norwegian throne, also spoke out about the strained situation, telling NRK that he "supports" Marius and will "look after and take care of the Crown Princess".
The comments were made during an appearance for Sami National Day at a kindergarten in Oslo on Friday afternoon and the prince also emphasised that Mette-Marit needs "more time".
He told the Norwegian newspaper: "When there is a lot happening at once, as it has been for our family now, I am a little concerned that we must have the priorities in the right order.
"For me, the most important thing in recent days has been to take care of the flock. We support Marius in the situation he is in, we look after the other children - they must also be looked after - and I have to look after and take care of the Crown Princess. Fortunately, she takes care of me too."
What does it say about Crown Princess Mette-Marit in the Epstein files?
© GettyIn one message from 2012, the future queen consort wrote to Epstein: "You always make me smile because you tickle my brain." She also penned that she found him "very charming" and "such a sweetheart". She also asked him in 2012 if it was "inappropriate for a mother to suggest two naked women carrying a surfboard for" her then-15-year-old son's wallpaper.
In another recently released document, Epstein described King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway's daughter-in-law as "twisted" and "not a typical royalty". The Crown Princess has previously apologised for her association with Epstein, calling it "simply embarrassing".
