The royal family in Norway is experiencing one of its biggest scandals in decades, with two major scandals taking place at the same time: one where Crown Princess Mette-Marit had contact with Jeffrey Epstein in the past, and the other where her son Marius Borg Hoyiby is on trial for rape.

Currently 29, Hoiiby presented himself in an Oslo court this week, where he cried as he denied four charges of rape. He does not follow in the line, as he was born earlier than Mette-Marit, who married Crown Prince Haakon in 2001. Haakon gave a rare public clarification by making it clear that “his stepson was not part of the Royal House of Norway and thus independent to prevent having the monarchy directly linked to the case.”

This, however, was soon surpassed by revelations in recently declassified files of the US Justice Department of the extensive correspondence between Mette-Marit and the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, years after he had pleaded guilty to soliciting sex with a minor.

Mette-Marit issued the statement saying that she “vehemently condemns the abuse and crime by Epstein” and that she had demonstrated bad judgment. She has apologised to the royal family and most especially to King Harald V and Queen Sonja, claiming that she was sorry that she did not realise earlier on “the kind of person he was.”

Growing Uncertainty over the Future Queen

The revelations have stirred debate openly in Norway about whether Mette-Marit should become the queen or not. According to Royal correspondent Tove Taalesen, this has taken a devastating blow on the public trust in the crown princess, despite the fact that the monarchy has not been killed yet.

It is a very sensitive controversy considering the age of King Harald V. He is 88 and at times he needs his Crown Prince Haakon to take over the reign, as he has health issues and is the oldest monarch in Europe. The time is doubtful in terms of stability in the royal family.

Mette-Marit herself has in 2018 been diagnosed with the progressive lung disease pulmonary fibrosis. Some commentators say that she might later retire due to health reasons, and Haakon might be left to rule single-handedly in the future.

Kjetil Alstadheim, who is the political editor, observed that many Norwegians are disappointed and worried about her judgment. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre went on record accepting the self-admission by Mette-Marit that she was making a poor judgment, a very unusual statement by a royal to utter such a verdict on her own part by a sitting prime minister.

The e-mails have been particularly harmful. In 2012 emails, under the address where she identified herself as the heir apparent as the Crown Princess, she wrote of Epstein as a “sweetheart” and a “soft-hearted” and very “charming person.” In a single message, she made a joke concerning wallpaper to her teenage boy. In another conversation, Epstein said that she was on a “wife hunt,” where she responded that Scandis were better “wife material.”

Mette-Marit has admitted to not clearly researching the background of Epstein and admitted that she had been wrong in her judgment, but that Epstein was solely to blame for his felonies.

Institutional fallout

The effects have not been limited to the opinion of the people. The biggest sexual health centre in Oslo, called “Sex and Society,” broke contact with the crown princess, claiming that the revelations did not align with the mission of helping the victims of abuse. She has also been asked to clarify by three cultural organisations, which she patronises, calling the association “serious and worrying.”

The scandal has only escalated further, involving some of the political and diplomatic leaders in Norway.

Thorbjørn Jagland, a former Prime Minister, is also under investigation over suspicion of aggravated corruption over his association with Epstein. Norwegian authorities are investigating the possibility of his official position being related to gifts, travel, or loans. The lawyer of Jagland says he is fully cooperating and is optimistic about the case.

Diplomat Mona Juul has resigned following accusations by the authorities that she was guilty of “gross corruption.” The question under investigation is whether she was given any benefits with regard to her position. She was also charged with complicity of her husband, Terje Rod Larsen. Previous accounts showed that Epstein had left two children and had given them a will with $10 million.

The growing probe has heightened scrutiny of the elite circles in Norway and made people anxious.

European royals are also named

The other European royalties are present in the documents, but by their name, it is not necessarily that they have done wrong. In 2012, a guest list and emails mentioned Princess Sofia of Sweden. The royal court of Sweden claimed that she had briefly encountered Epstein circa 20 years prior to accession into the royal family and denied attendance at any 2012 event. Princess Sofia thanked her later that she had not been in contact with him since her twenties.

King Frederik X (then crown prince of Denmark) was also mentioned in an email concerning a dinner party. The royal family of Denmark reported that he had never seen Epstein.

Prince Andrew of Britain and Sarah Ferguson were included in the wider release of the file as well, although these relationships have already been widely covered elsewhere.

A monarchy under pressure

In Norway, the twin crises, the continued rape case that Hoyby is undergoing, and the Epstein exposé are mutually strengthening. The royal family remains in the headlines thanks to daily coverage of court proceedings, and the emails create a bigger reputational risk in the long term.

Royal analysts reckon that the monarchy has been through scandals in the past; however, the scope and symbolism of the Epstein association is a big challenge. As King Harald is old and the heir to the throne is the Crown Prince Haakon, the royal family is at a touchy point.

The rebuilding of the public trust can establish the stability of the modern monarch in Norway in the future.