During a visit to the NATO exercise Cold Response in Bardufoss, Crown Prince Haakon of Norway chose not to address questions regarding Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s connections to Jeffrey Epstein. When pressed for clarity on the matter, he stated, 'We will get back to all those things. For now, let’s stick to the topic, which is the military exercise here in the north.' The Cold Response drill involves 30,000 soldiers from 14 nations, with the majority being stationed in Norway.

It has been 46 days since the release of documents revealing a more extensive relationship between Crown Princess Mette-Marit and the convicted sexual offender Epstein than was previously disclosed in 2019. Despite growing public interest and scrutiny, the Norwegian royal family continues to withhold comments on specific inquiries related to the controversy. The Crown Princess has maintained a low profile, not appearing in public since January, adding to the intrigue surrounding her connections to Epstein.

The situation presents a challenge for the royal household, as it navigates public relations in the face of media pressure and the expectations for transparency regarding sensitive issues involving public figures. The Crown Prince's decision to remain focused on the NATO exercise reflects a strategy to separate the military accomplishments from ongoing personal controversies, but it remains to be seen how this will impact the royal family's public image going forward.