Norway’s Liberal leader calls for more answers from Crown Princess Mette-Marit

Norwegian Liberal Party leader Guri Melby has praised Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s openness in her recent interview with public broadcaster NRK but insists the royal must provide further answers about her ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Speaking to newspaper Dagbladet, Melby acknowledged the princess’s admission of “poor judgement” in her contact with Epstein, calling it an “apt assessment.” She stressed, however, that trust is built over time and that a single interview is only a starting point.

“It’s clear this has been a demanding situation for her,” Melby said. “But as new details have emerged showing the relationship was more extensive than previously known, people rightly expect answers.”

She urged the princess and the royal household to remain transparent and address follow-up questions: “The most important thing now is that the Crown Princess continues to be clear and open. The public’s trust in the monarchy depends on it.”

Melby also questioned whether the princess’s refusal to comment on specific emails—despite their public exposure—would satisfy demands for accountability. “People need to feel they’ve received adequate explanations for why this relationship existed and persisted,” she said.

While Melby recognised the princess’s right to privacy, she argued that the boundaries of disclosure should not be set prematurely. “It’s not about me trusting her—it’s about the public’s trust. If questions remain unanswered, there must be room for further clarification.”

The Crown Princess’s NRK interview, broadcast on Friday, marked her first public comments on the controversy. She described feeling manipulated by Epstein but faced criticism for evading key questions, including the content of her email exchanges with him.