The Danish royal family is in mourning following the death of John Donaldson, the father of Queen Mary. The distinguished Australian academic of Scottish origin passed away at 84 in Hobart, just a few weeks before his daughter spent a few days with him at the end of her state visit to Australia. A poetic but painful statement from Queen Mary confirmed that her “heart is heavy” and that “her thoughts are somber” after the sad news.
With plans underway to hold a private memorial service on a date yet to be confirmed, for now the priority for the Danish royal family—and especially for the queen—will be to come to terms with the loss. However, behind this latest tragedy lies another problem that is becoming impossible to ignore for Frederik and Mary, just as the problems in their romantic relationship seemed to have been forgotten. In neighboring Norway, a royal closely linked to the Danish royal house faces mounting pressure.
The Crown Princess Mette-Marit, godmother to the Danish kings’ eldest son, the Crown Prince Christian, is now embroiled in a deep crisis. To her increasingly serious health problems, which could even force her to undergo a lung transplant, is added the scandal associated with Jeffrey Epstein. It all erupted when her name appeared in the United States Department of Justice documents related to the investigation, after years of denials by both her and the Norwegian royal family regarding any link to him.
The documents revealed a relationship far closer than had previously been admitted. It was found that the wife of the Crown Prince Haakon had maintained extensive correspondence with Epstein, highlighting what appears to be a long-standing friendship, and Mette-Marit was compelled to explain herself. “I am deeply sorry and it is a responsibility I must bear,” the royal said before admitting that “I showed a lack of judgment and regret having any contact with Epstein. It is simply shameful.”
Mette-Marit, in the eye of the storm
Jeffrey Epstein’s case has been only the latest in a string of scandals that have tainted Mette-Marit. Before her name appeared in the documents, she had already been in the news because her eldest son, Marius Borg Høiby, is involved in a criminal trial. Marius, 29, from the princess’s previous relationship, has been accused of forty offenses ranging from four counts of rape and aggravated assault to abuse, drug-related offenses, and traffic violations.
In the trial, the defense lawyers acting on his behalf have denied the most serious charges, including the rape accusations. However, they have admitted that he was guilty of some charges, including the transport of 3.5 kg of marijuana, breach of a restraining order, reckless driving, and other offenses. The judge’s verdict is expected in June, but for now the prosecution has requested seven years and seven months of imprisonment for him.
Mary and Frederik of Denmark, alongside Haakon and Mette-Marit of Norway in a 2024 image.
All these circumstances have triggered an unprecedented crisis of popularity for the Norwegian monarchy and have put Mette-Marit in the crosshairs, with her compatriots questioning whether she is qualified to be their future queen. And why does all this pose a serious problem for her Danish neighbors? It all goes back to the old ties that bind the Scandinavian royal families and, more specifically, to the ceremonial role of the Norwegian princess as godmother to the future king of Denmark.
Frederik, Mary, and the awkward Mette-Marit
This question has been tackled by Trine Villemann, the royal expert for the Danish daily Ekstra Bladet, who says the royal family now faces a “dilemma” about whether to remain linked to the Norwegian crown princess. “Can you be in the same room with someone who has had such a close relationship with a convicted sex offender like Epstein?” Villemann asks in her article. “She is the guest no one wants to see in the royal family. And I think that cannot change.”
The journalist has suggested that the Danish public “would not look kindly on” the Danish royal couple associating with someone like Crown Princess Mette-Marit, adding harshly about her that “she has damaged her reputation so much that she is of no use to anything, neither to the Norwegian monarchy nor to any other.” For the moment, King Frederik and Mary will not share the next major royal event with her, the 80th birthday of Carl Gustaf of Sweden, as the Norwegian princess has excused her attendance due to health problems.
