Norway's New Queen Faces Renewed Epstein Scrutiny After King's Death

King Harald V, Europe's oldest monarch at 89, died on August 28, 2026, from a blood infection, paving the way for his son Haakon to become King Haakon VIII and Mette-Marit his queen consort. Online posts highlighted her email exchanges with Epstein from 2011 to 2014, including plans to meet and a 2013 stay at his Palm Beach home, despite her earlier awareness of his troubled reputation.

Mette-Marit has apologized multiple times, stating she was manipulated and ended contact in 2014 after he tried to leverage their relationship; no charges have been filed against her. While some Norwegians express outrage, others focus on mourning the late king amid the royal family's ongoing challenges.