King Harald of Norway has broken his silence just days after the Crown Princess Mette-Marit‘s controversial interview about her connection to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Although the 52-year-old was absent from the Belgian state banquet this week, the Norwegian monarch affectionately spoke of his daughter-in-law in her absence.
The Norwegian Royal Family are currently hosting King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium for a state visit, and the 89-year-old unexpectedly addressed his daughter-in-law – who was present earlier in the day on Tuesday – during his speech that evening. According to HELLO!, he said: “I know that our dear Crown Princess would have wished to be with us tonight. Sharing a reason for her absence, he added: “Unfortunately, she is unable to attend due to her health situation.”
A typical fixture at such events, Crown Princess Mette-Marit is married to the King’s son, and heir to the throne, Crown Prince Haakon.
She is known to have chronic pulmonary fibrosis, a lung disease that occurs when lung tissue becomes scarred, making it difficult for the lungs to operate properly.
The Norwegian royal was diagnosed with the condition in 2018, for which there is no known cure. Her absence also comes five days after her controversial interview was aired on March 20.
The interview was filmed with Crown Prince Haakon at their residence in Skaugum the day prior, on March 19.
Clearly on the verge of tears, she said: I feel so manipulated, and when you are manipulated, you don’t realise it from the start.”
She then added: “It is incredibly important for me to take responsibility for not checking his background more carefully. And to take responsibility for being so manipulated and deceived as I was.”
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