Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway says she was manipulated by Jeffrey Epstein, addressing their friendship in a new interview amid a family trial.

OSLO: Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit has stated she was “manipulated” by the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

In an interview broadcast on Friday, she sought to explain their close relationship detailed in recently released US justice documents.

“Of course I wish I had never met him,” she told public broadcaster NRK.

“It is extremely important for me to acknowledge that I did not look into his past more carefully, and also to acknowledge that I was manipulated and deceived to such an extent.”

The crown princess firmly addressed speculation about the nature of their connection.

“It was a friendly relationship: above all, he was a friend to me. But if your question is whether the relationship had another nature, the answer is no.”

Her name appeared in Epstein documents released by the US Department of Justice earlier this year.

The files revealed an unexpectedly close friendship, raising questions in Norway about her future role as queen.

Mette-Marit has previously expressed deep regret over the relationship with the disgraced financier.

The revelations have damaged her reputation during a difficult period for the royal family.

She is concurrently dealing with the trial of her 29-year-old son from a prior relationship, Marius Borg Hoiby.

Hoiby faces 38 charges including raping four women and assaulting ex-girlfriends.

He could face up to 16 years in prison if convicted.

 The Sun Malaysia