Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit has sought to distance herself from her friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, one of several scandals that have hit the Nordic country's monarchy.
"I also apologize for the situation I have put the royal family, especially the King and Queen, into," Mette-Marit said in a statement released by the royal palace.
New files related to Epstein, released by the US Department of Justice last week, included extensive email correspondence between Mette-Marit and Epstein after he was found guilty of child sex crimes in 2008.
Mette-Marit, the wife of Harald's son, Crown Prince Haakon, the heir to the throne, previously apologized for maintaining contact, saying she showed poor judgment.
Norway's prime minister said on Monday that Mette-Marit and other prominent Norwegians named in the recently released Epstein documents should provide more details about their involvement with Epstein.
Norway's royal family is already facing several challenges.
Marius, Mette-Marit's son from a relationship before her marriage to Crown Prince Haakon, is currently on trial for rape and domestic violence. /Telegraph/
