The Epstein Files, more than 3 million pages of new documents related to Epstein, were published on Friday by the US Department of Justice. Elites from many countries, especially the United States and Great Britain, have been embroiled in the growing scandal, but the sheer number of Norwegians has raised eyebrows in this Scandinavian country of just 5.5 million people, notes the Financial Times.
The Duchess's involvement Mette-Marit — who exchanged more than 100 friendly emails with the convicted sex offender and stayed at one of his homes — deepens a series of scandals within the Norwegian royal family. The trial of Mette-Marit's first-born son, who faces 38 charges, including rape and drug offenses, begins on Tuesday.
Børge Brendethe former Norwegian foreign minister and now director general of the World Economic Forum, dined with Epstein in 2018 and 2019, well after Epstein's first sex crime convictions.
Thorbjørn Jagland, prime minister of Norway in the 1990s, who later chaired the committee that awarded the Nobel Peace Prize and also served for 10 years as secretary general of the Council of Europe, was planning a family vacation to Epstein's island in 2014, according to emails released by the U.S. Department of Justice. The rest of his family stayed at another property owned by the sex offender.
Norway's current prime minister took the unusual step of criticizing a member of the royal family on Sunday. “The Crown Princess herself said she showed poor judgment, which I agree with,” said Jonas Gahr Støre, quoted by the FT. “I also believe that Thorbjørn Jagland did the same.”
Terje Rød-Larsen and Mona Juul, a married couple of perhaps Norway's most famous diplomats, who helped negotiate the Oslo peace accords between Israel and Palestine, also had ties to Epstein.
Their children were among the beneficiaries of Epstein's will, recently published documents show, while Rød-Larsen borrowed money from Epstein.
All Norwegian celebrities regretted their association with Epstein, claiming they had no knowledge of his illegal conduct. However, these revelations have shaken trust, especially in the Norwegian royal family, writes “FT”.
Mette-Marit wrote to Epstein in 2011: “I googled you after your last email. I agree, it didn't look too good :).” It is unclear what her message was about. Epstein pleaded guilty in 2008 to a charge of soliciting prostitution from a minor under 18 years of age. The Norwegian princess exchanged numerous emails with Epstein until 2014.
“Can Mette-Marit become queen after all this?” — wrote the Norwegian daily “Aftenposten” over the weekend after the latest revelations about Epstein.
Source: Financial Times
