King Harald V of Norway has defended Crown Princess Mette-Marit, following her friendship with Jeffrey Epstein, adding that she "deserves credit" for cutting it off.
The Crown Princess told national TV in March that she wishes she had never met the convicted sex offender, after it was discovered during the release of the Epstein Files that she had exchanged hundreds of emails with Epstein between 2011 and 2014.
"I feel so manipulated, and when you are manipulated, you don't realise it from the start," she said.
"It is incredibly important for me to take responsibility for not checking his background more carefully."
She admitted to "poor judgment" but maintained she "didn't know he was a sex offender or a predator".
Mette-Marit is also believed to have stayed in his Florida house when he was not there in 2013.
"Epstein was a close friend of a good friend of mine," she explained.
King Harald V of Norway has defended Crown Princess Mette-Marit's friendship with Jeffrey Epstein, adding that she 'deserves credit' for cutting it off
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However, she detailed a "situation" that made her feel uncomfortable during the final day at the house. She refused to give further details, other than that she had called her husband on the issue, though.
But today, the King has spoken to reporters on his daughter-in-law's alleged relationship with the disgraced financier.
"I found out about it when you found out about it. And I don’t know anything more than you know," he said.
The King added that "we must remember that the Crown Princess has not done anything illegal."
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Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway was pictured using visible breathing assistance during a public engagement at the Constitution Day children's parade on Sunday
| GETTY"And she broke this connection, unlike some others in Norway, she broke the connection very early, so I think we should give her credit for that," he declared.
Harald, who has held the throne since 1991, also gave updates on the health of the Crown Princess, who now relies on supplemental oxygen as part of her daily routine after being diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis in 2018.
"We have heard doctors say this is going to happen, but we thought it would happen in a while, not now.
"But now, it is suddenly very real. She is seriously ill. There is no doubt about it, unfortunately."
And Harald's wife, Queen Sonja, was admitted to hospital with heart issues just yesterday, the Norwegian Royal House confirmed. Fortunately, the King had a more positive update.
He told reporters that "her form is much better," adding that her spirits had thankfully improved because "it wasn’t good…she was a little depressed" after she was forced to cancel her engagements.
She had been due to meet with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
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