The Norwegian Security Service (PST) has come under scrutiny following reports that Crown Princess Mette-Marit experienced an alarming incident during her 2013 visit to Jeffrey Epstein's villa in Palm Beach. The Crown Princess felt so unsafe that she decided to call Crown Prince Haakon for assistance. PST has been questioned regarding whether they were notified of this incident at the time, but their communication advisor, Eirik Veum, stated that the agency does not comment on specific events or incidents. This reflects the sensitivity and confidentiality surrounding royal security matters.

Further investigation has revealed that Crown Princess Mette-Marit coordinated her visit through Epstein’s assistants and reportedly had a bodyguard with her, who stayed at a hotel rather than the villa itself. This detail raises concerns about the adequacy of security measures in place during the visit, especially in light of the serious criminal background of Epstein. The taking of precautions, such as having a personal bodyguard, hints at the challenges security personnel may face when dealing with high-profile individuals involved in heinous activities.

On February 10, PST called a press conference to clarify their services related to royal protection. PST Director Hanne Finanger stated that bodyguards do not have the authority to conduct background checks on individuals, which emphasizes the limitations of their operational protocols. This highlights the complexities of providing security for members of the royal family, particularly in light of past associations with individuals like Epstein, raising questions about the processes in place to protect them from potential threats.