In an exclusive interview with NRK, Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit has spoken publicly for the first time since it was revealed that she exchanged hundreds of emails with late US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. She admitted to being manipulated and deceived by Epstein and expressed regret for not checking his background more carefully. The crown princess also discussed her decision to stay in Epstein's Florida house when he was not there, saying she was a 'private contact' and did not inform everyone about her private contacts. She maintained that she did not know Epstein was a sex offender or a predator at the time of their acquaintance, despite evidence to the contrary. The interview comes after intense scrutiny and pressure to explain herself, including from Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.