Archive · 28 Aug 2026
Mette-Marit Faces Scandal, Health Struggles As Queen
Mette-Marit became part of Norway’s royal family after meeting Haakon in 1999.
Before that, she was a single mother and had spent time in Norway’s house music scene.
Some people questioned whether her past suited a future queen.
Haakon and his father supported her, and she eventually became more comfortable in royal life.
She worked with charities, encouraged children to read, and supported global health causes.
Later, emails showed that she had been in contact with Jeffrey Epstein after his conviction.
Mette-Marit apologized and said she had been manipulated and deceived.
At the same time, her son Marius was convicted of serious crimes, although he and prosecutors appealed the sentence.
Mette-Marit also has a serious lung condition and underwent a lung transplant.
Mette-Marit met Crown Prince Haakon in 1999 and married him in 2001 despite intense scrutiny of her background.
She later pursued studies, promoted literature, supported charities, and campaigned internationally on health and reproductive issues.
Emails released in January 2026 showed correspondence with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein continuing after his conviction.
Mette-Marit said Epstein manipulated and deceived her, while polls showed declining support for both her queenship and the monarchy.
Her challenges also include chronic pulmonary fibrosis, a lung transplant, and her son Marius’s rape and domestic-violence conviction, which has been appealed.
- Who
- Mette-Marit, Norway’s new queen; her husband Haakon; her son Marius; and Jeffrey Epstein are central to the report.
- What
- The report recounts Mette-Marit’s path into the royal family and the scandals, family difficulties, and health problems now surrounding her.
- When
- She met Haakon in 1999 and married him in 2001; Epstein emails were released in January 2026, and her son was convicted in June.
- Where
- Mette-Marit was born in Kristiansand, Norway, and studied at the University of Oslo and London’s School of Oriental and African Studies.
- Why
- Her position has drawn scrutiny because of her past, her contact with Epstein, her son’s criminal case, and her health challenges.
Public Critics
Mette-Marit’s Response and Supporters
Suitability for royal life
Public Critics
Critics and media questioned whether her earlier house-music lifestyle and personal history were appropriate for someone entering the royal family.
Mette-Marit’s Response and Supporters
Mette-Marit rejected Cinderella-style portrayals, saying her relationship with Haakon involved two normal people; Haakon and King Harald stood by her.
Contact with Jeffrey Epstein
Public Critics
The released correspondence, including contact after Epstein’s conviction, intensified scrutiny of Mette-Marit and contributed to lower public support for her queenship and the monarchy.
Mette-Marit’s Response and Supporters
Mette-Marit apologized to the royal family and said she wished she had never met Epstein because she had been manipulated and deceived.
Future public role
Public Critics
Some polling respondents opposed Mette-Marit becoming queen, while her workload was reduced amid health problems and family pressures.
Mette-Marit’s Response and Supporters
A majority in the cited February 2026 poll still supported the monarchy, and historian Trond Noren Isaksen said her warmth and ability to connect with people were strengths.
- Birth
- Mette-Marit was born on August 19, 1973, in Kristiansand.
- Meeting Haakon
- She met then-Crown Prince Haakon at the Quart music festival in 1999.
- Marriage
- She married Haakon in 2001.
- Public work
- She promoted Norwegian literature, supported charities, and campaigned on global health, women’s empowerment, and reproductive health.
- Epstein correspondence
- Private emails between Mette-Marit and Jeffrey Epstein were released by the U.S. Justice Department in January 2026.
- Public opinion
- A February 2026 poll found 60% support for the monarchy, down from 70% in January; another poll found 47.6% opposed her becoming queen and 28.9% supported it.
- Health
- She has chronic pulmonary fibrosis and underwent a successful lung transplant, according to the palace.