Great article on the communications aspects of this developing scandal. Not sure how I would advise the royal family now. Earlier, I thought of finding a sympathetic journalist for Mette-Marit to tell about her experience as a parent, wife, and member of the royal family. However, I think that ship has sailed.
Interestingly, the Times of London reported this morning that support for Norway's royal family stood at about 70 percent as of last week. Who knows where it stands today. The article mentioned that the nation's parliament has voted on abolishing the monarchy nearly every year since 1968. The proposal has been defeated each time. Given that the tentacles of the Jeffrey Epstein scandal have reached those in power in Norway even beyond the royal family, could this scandal mean the end of the Norwegian monarchy?
I wouldn't take bets on anything right now. Norstat just published a poll it conducted Monday-Tuesday after the Epstein files came out that shows 76% of Norwegians say their trust in Mette-Marit has declined. Only 22% say she's fit to be queen. Support for the monarchy dropped from 70% to 66% in just a few days.
Today on the first day of Hoiby's trial, witnesses revealed that one of the rapes he supposedly committed took place at the Crown Prince couple's official residence. That's not going to help things.
I think the remaining question will be how they stop the bleeding -- if it's even still possible. Getting Mette-Marit out of the picture might help, but having Haakon divorce a woman facing a lung transplant would not be ideal from a PR POV.
But, who knows? Norwegians have accommodated Mette-Marit's past scandals for 25 years, so they might well shrug after the current wave of coverage subsides.
Just after I sent this, I saw a Reuters story that the Norwegian parliament today voted 141-26 in favor of keeping the monarchy. So, I guess they're secure for now.
Great article on the communications aspects of this developing scandal. Not sure how I would advise the royal family now. Earlier, I thought of finding a sympathetic journalist for Mette-Marit to tell about her experience as a parent, wife, and member of the royal family. However, I think that ship has sailed.
Interestingly, the Times of London reported this morning that support for Norway's royal family stood at about 70 percent as of last week. Who knows where it stands today. The article mentioned that the nation's parliament has voted on abolishing the monarchy nearly every year since 1968. The proposal has been defeated each time. Given that the tentacles of the Jeffrey Epstein scandal have reached those in power in Norway even beyond the royal family, could this scandal mean the end of the Norwegian monarchy?
I wouldn't take bets on anything right now. Norstat just published a poll it conducted Monday-Tuesday after the Epstein files came out that shows 76% of Norwegians say their trust in Mette-Marit has declined. Only 22% say she's fit to be queen. Support for the monarchy dropped from 70% to 66% in just a few days.
Today on the first day of Hoiby's trial, witnesses revealed that one of the rapes he supposedly committed took place at the Crown Prince couple's official residence. That's not going to help things.
I think the remaining question will be how they stop the bleeding -- if it's even still possible. Getting Mette-Marit out of the picture might help, but having Haakon divorce a woman facing a lung transplant would not be ideal from a PR POV.
But, who knows? Norwegians have accommodated Mette-Marit's past scandals for 25 years, so they might well shrug after the current wave of coverage subsides.
Just after I sent this, I saw a Reuters story that the Norwegian parliament today voted 141-26 in favor of keeping the monarchy. So, I guess they're secure for now.
https://www.reuters.com/world/norway-parliament-supports-monarchy-despite-scandals-2026-02-03/