Kjetil Alstadheim, editor of the Norwegian newspaper Aftenposten, believes that Crown Princess Mette-Marit needs to provide more answers regarding her friendship with Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted pedophile and trafficker.
The Norwegian princess was discovered to be one of the many prominent people in the "Epstein files". Dozens of friendly emails between Mette-Marit and Epstein were broadcast to the public showing that she had a warm relationship with him between 2011 and 2014, even when she knew he was convicted and sentenced of trafficking young girls.
The princess granted a mere 20 minutes to NRK (Norway's BBC) at the royal family's Skaugum Estate to explain herself, but her answers have been found lacking.
Kristin Clemet of Civita, a Norwegian think tank, says there is no need to press Mette-Marit further, but admits that the princess needs to be totally transparent in order to rebuild trust with the people of Norway.
The Norwegian Royal family finds itself in a pivotal moment that will define its future: they will either continue with Mette-Marit's public role with her controversies (including her son, Marius, being charged with rape and assault), or they will retire her quietly and allow the younger generation to step up. The princess is suffering from a lung issue and will need transplant surgery; she should be put on permanent leave to recover and live life away from the public eye. Her children with Crown Prince Haakon, Sverre Magnus and Ingrid-Alexandra, are already taking on royal duties. With Mette-Marit out of the limelight, it will allow Ingrid-Alexandra to have a clean slate when she becomes the crown princess one day. If Mette-Marit values her daughter's future, she will bow out now.
