Sanna-Mari Hovi, a royal expert, shared her insights with Ilta-Sanomat regarding Norwegian Crown Princess Mette-Marit's recent interview with NRK, describing it as a "very rare" occurrence for royals. Typically, royals adhere to the principle of "never complain, never explain" as endorsed by Queen Elizabeth II. In her analysis, Hovi notes that when a royal chooses to explain or justify themselves, it often leads to an endless pit of needing to address various issues, which can complicate matters further.

Hovi critiques the effectiveness of Mette-Marit's interview, suggesting that it raised more questions than it answered. The princess's references to her memory lapses concerning her ties to the late sexual offender and businessman Jeffrey Epstein did not provide clarity to the situation. Hovi emphasizes that while Mette-Marit's emotions during the interview, including tears and apologies, may have been sincere, they did not convey a sense of honest resolution regarding her past actions or connections.

The implications of such a public discussion are significant for royals, as it challenges their traditional approach to handling controversies. Hovi's reflections underscore the delicate balance faced by members of royal families when navigating public scrutiny and personal history, especially in cases as sensitive as these that intertwine royal dignity with serious allegations against individuals associated with them.