Queen Mette-Marit becomes Norway queen amid controversies

Mette-Marit became Norway's new queen alongside her husband after King Harald's death on Friday, bringing to the throne a public image affected by illness, her son's criminal conviction and her past friendship with Jeffrey Epstein.

Mette-Marit Tjessem Hoiby, 53, was born in Kristiansand in southern Norway. Her relationship with then-Crown Prince Haakon began after they met at a music festival, and they married in August 2001. She was a single mother when she entered the royal family.

She and Haakon have two children, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, now 22, and Prince Sverre Magnus, 20. Her older son from a previous relationship, Marius Borg Hoiby, was convicted of rape and assault in Oslo and sentenced to four years in prison. He has appealed.

Mette-Marit was diagnosed in 2018 with a rare form of pulmonary fibrosis, which causes lung scarring and shortness of breath. Her illness led her to reduce public engagements, and she underwent a lung transplant in June 2026.

Norwegian media in early 2026 reported frequent exchanges between Mette-Marit and convicted US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The reports said she stayed at his Florida home for four days in 2013. Mette-Marit apologised to Norwegians, saying she had shown poor judgment and deeply regretted having had contact with Epstein.

King Harald defended her, saying she had broken no laws and had ended the friendship. Several polls showed Norwegians no longer considered her suitable to become queen one day.