Norwegian Crown Princess Mette-Marit made headlines on Tuesday after giving a rare statement regarding the victims of Jeffrey Epstein during an interview with the Norwegian broadcaster NRK. In this statement, she declared, "I am deeply shocked by the stories of many of Epstein's victims, and I offer them my full support. It is important that their voices are heard. I stand by them as a woman and as a mother." This remark underscores her compassion towards the victims and highlights the importance of recognizing their struggles.

The statement took on additional weight when Mette-Marit reflected on her previous interactions with Epstein, admitting her oversight in failing to investigate his background more thoroughly. "I deeply regret that I did not realize sooner what kind of person he was. I must bear the responsibility for that," she acknowledged, echoing sentiments expressed in a similar statement made earlier in the year. This acknowledgment adds a layer of accountability to her position as a public figure who interacted with Epstein in the past before his criminal actions became widely known.

Mette-Marit’s statement comes at a time when victims like Marina Lacerda, a key witness in the charges against Epstein in 2019, continue to speak out about their experiences. Lacerda has criticized the Crown Princess for her relationship with Epstein, and her flouting of possible criticisms signals an ongoing dialogue about accountability among those in positions of power. This incident also reflects broader societal discussions around the importance of believing and supporting victims of sexual abuse, particularly in high-profile cases that challenge previously accepted norms within both nobility and wider society.