{"id":14925,"date":"2026-02-02T03:43:11","date_gmt":"2026-02-02T03:43:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/how-the-epstein-files-exposed-the-rich-the-royal-and-the-european-elite\/"},"modified":"2026-02-02T03:43:11","modified_gmt":"2026-02-02T03:43:11","slug":"how-the-epstein-files-exposed-the-rich-the-royal-and-the-european-elite","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/how-the-epstein-files-exposed-the-rich-the-royal-and-the-european-elite\/","title":{"rendered":"How the Epstein files exposed the rich, the royal and the European elite"},"content":{"rendered":"<div>\n<div data-testid=\"ad-sticky-container\" class=\"sc-dfb011b6-0 dncfJv\">\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 fMIAOk adWrapper noPrint sc-1c01c11e-0 iEpzep\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 kRjajv\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<header class=\"sc-12aa4a36-0 gQVHPI\">\n<div class=\"sc-5cbbddda-0 cRMyzw\">\n<div data-testid=\"article-author\" class=\"sc-5cbbddda-1 kekTYX\" readability=\"4.6666666666667\">\n<div readability=\"5.7435897435897\">\n<p data-testid=\"article-datetime\" class=\"sc-5cbbddda-5 jMFiFd\"><span class=\"sc-a243f860-0 dLDTDi\"><time data-testid=\"storytile-timestamp\" datetime=\"2026-02-02T11:57:59+11:00\">February 2, 2026<!-- --> &mdash; 11:57am<\/time><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-7132c98c-0 hMrcSL noPrint\" data-testid=\"article-actions\">\n<div class=\"sc-7132c98c-1 cbqDrw\">\n<div class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-0 cGFoDo\" readability=\"8.5431472081218\"><button aria-checked=\"false\" aria-label=\"Save article to read later\" role=\"switch\" type=\"button\" class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-1 bYQiGM\"><svg fill=\"none\" height=\"24\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"24\" class=\"sc-d1b14060-0 bRyYMS\"><path d=\"M5.75 4C5.75 3.86193 5.86193 3.75 6 3.75H18C18.1381 3.75 18.25 3.86193 18.25 4L18.25 19.7709L12.8004 16.9682C12.2981 16.7099 11.7019 16.7099 11.1996 16.9682L5.75 19.7709L5.75 4Z\"><\/path><\/svg><span class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-2 bBuibL\">Save<\/span><\/button>\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"sc-ba6ddcd9-0 bnZsbn sc-d1b14060-3 bnLMbo\" role=\"tooltip\" readability=\"8.0816326530612\">\n<p class=\"sc-d1b14060-4 NcyxX\">You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n<p>Remove items from your saved list to add more.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"sc-ba6ddcd9-0 dpTpUw sc-369d9219-0 ipWbwh\" role=\"tooltip\" readability=\"9\">\n<p class=\"sc-369d9219-1 eGTSJh\">Save this article for later<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-369d9219-2 crcSSW\">Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime.<\/p>\n<p><button type=\"button\" class=\"sc-3f16ee48-0 sc-3f16ee48-6 sc-369d9219-3 dXbfCd gDnvwr gxYZHU\">Got it<\/button><\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"internal-linking-related-contents\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/12-weeks-jail-for-school-it-support-technician-who-took-upskirt-videos-of-teachers\/\" class=\"template-1\"><span class=\"cta\">News :<\/span><span class=\"postTitle\">&lt;div&gt;12 weeks' jail for school IT support technician who took upskirt videos of teachers&lt;\/div&gt;<\/span><\/a><\/div><p><button aria-label=\"Set font size to normal\" aria-pressed=\"true\" class=\"sc-f7fd8257-1 fKewKr\">A<\/button><button aria-label=\"Set font size to larger\" aria-pressed=\"false\" class=\"sc-f7fd8257-1 kfmQUR\">A<\/button><button aria-label=\"Set font size to very large\" aria-pressed=\"false\" class=\"sc-f7fd8257-1 kfmPpl\">A<\/button><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<aside class=\"sc-67b869c7-6 cFwlqx\"><\/aside>\n<div class=\"sc-80607c67-0 byCHjx\" readability=\"19\">\n<p><strong>London:<\/strong> The Epstein scandal has snared another royal family &ndash; and exposed European leaders who cosied up to a sex offender.<\/p>\n<p>Norwegian Crown Princess Mette-Marit is just one of the wealthy and well-connected who treated Jeffrey Epstein like a close friend in the years after he emerged from prison.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"sc-4820f69c-1 fhsnES\"><button aria-label=\"enlarge image\" type=\"button\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-5 bsFdcS\">\n<div imagesizes=\"[object Object]\" class=\"sc-f6db6fb8-0 finHbW\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.229%2C$multiply_0.9841%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_219%2C$y_69\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/841b1101eeae2137260da8e1d80ebfce048cc2f0, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.229%2C$multiply_1.9683%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_219%2C$y_69\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/841b1101eeae2137260da8e1d80ebfce048cc2f0 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.229%2C$multiply_1.0159%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_219%2C$y_69\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/841b1101eeae2137260da8e1d80ebfce048cc2f0, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.229%2C$multiply_2.0317%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_219%2C$y_69\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/841b1101eeae2137260da8e1d80ebfce048cc2f0 2x\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Crown Princess of Norway Mette-Marit and Crown Prince Haakon.\" aspectratios=\"[object Object]\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/%24zoom_0.229,%24multiply_0.7725,%24ratio_1.5,%24width_756,%24x_219,%24y_69\/t_crop_custom\/q_86,f_auto\/841b1101eeae2137260da8e1d80ebfce048cc2f0\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.229%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_219%2C$y_69\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/841b1101eeae2137260da8e1d80ebfce048cc2f0, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.229%2C$multiply_1.545%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_219%2C$y_69\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/841b1101eeae2137260da8e1d80ebfce048cc2f0 2x\" class=\"sc-f6db6fb8-1 gaGQmv\"><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 38 38\" height=\"38px\" width=\"38px\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-4 eROwEo\"><g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 22.029383, 7.619553)\"><path d=\"M1 8l6.36396103-6.36396103M8 7V1H2\"><\/path><\/g><g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 7.0731, 21.523087)\"><path d=\"M8 1L1.63603897 7.36396103M1 2v6h6\"><\/path><\/g><\/svg><\/p><\/button><figcaption data-testid=\"figure-caption\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-0 hMRMLa\"><span>Crown Princess of Norway Mette-Marit and Crown Prince Haakon.<\/span><cite class=\"sc-4820f69c-2 jnumBu\"><span class=\"sc-4820f69c-3 jkEJCb\">Photothek via Getty Images<\/span><\/cite><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The crown princess joked with Epstein about his &ldquo;neurotic&rdquo; week with film director Woody Allen, asked his advice about wallpaper and stayed at his Palm Beach home.<\/p>\n<p>Now she has apologised for the &ldquo;simply embarrassing&rdquo; revelations in the latest emails released by the US Department of Justice, saying she takes responsibility for not checking his background.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 hBgktT adWrapper noPrint sc-67b869c7-3 gsRMal\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 kRjajv\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-80607c67-0 byCHjx\" readability=\"31.496583143508\">\n<div class=\"internal-linking-related-contents\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/migrant-acquitted-in-first-trial-over-us-border-military-zones\/\" class=\"template-1\"><span class=\"cta\">News :<\/span><span class=\"postTitle\">Migrant acquitted in first trial over US border military zones<\/span><\/a><\/div><p>The attention on Epstein has focused for years on his web of contacts in American politics and business, as well his favours for Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former prince. His ties to former British cabinet minister Peter Mandelson are generating headlines again because the US documents suggest he sought to influence UK banking policy in 2009 in ways Epstein advised.<\/p>\n<p>Mandelson, who was removed as UK ambassador to the US last year because of his Epstein link, was further embarrassed on Friday by the release of photographs from the US files showing him in his underwear. The documents do not show who took the photo, but it appeared to be common for Epstein to take people by surprise with a camera.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"sc-4820f69c-1 fhsnES\"><button aria-label=\"enlarge image\" type=\"button\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-5 bsFdcS\">\n<div imagesizes=\"[object Object]\" class=\"sc-f6db6fb8-0 finHbW\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.378%2C$multiply_0.9841%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/0ae90166a98ddf5072d59679e090b8cf57a699a7, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.378%2C$multiply_1.9683%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/0ae90166a98ddf5072d59679e090b8cf57a699a7 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.378%2C$multiply_1.0159%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/0ae90166a98ddf5072d59679e090b8cf57a699a7, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.378%2C$multiply_2.0317%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/0ae90166a98ddf5072d59679e090b8cf57a699a7 2x\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Peter Mandelson, then-British ambassador to the US, in the Oval Office last year.\" aspectratios=\"[object Object]\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/%24zoom_0.378,%24multiply_0.7725,%24ratio_1.5,%24width_756,%24x_0,%24y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86,f_auto\/0ae90166a98ddf5072d59679e090b8cf57a699a7\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.378%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/0ae90166a98ddf5072d59679e090b8cf57a699a7, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.378%2C$multiply_1.545%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/0ae90166a98ddf5072d59679e090b8cf57a699a7 2x\" class=\"sc-f6db6fb8-1 gaGQmv\"><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 38 38\" height=\"38px\" width=\"38px\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-4 eROwEo\"><g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 22.029383, 7.619553)\"><path d=\"M1 8l6.36396103-6.36396103M8 7V1H2\"><\/path><\/g><g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 7.0731, 21.523087)\"><path d=\"M8 1L1.63603897 7.36396103M1 2v6h6\"><\/path><\/g><\/svg><\/p><\/button><figcaption data-testid=\"figure-caption\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-0 hMRMLa\"><span>Peter Mandelson, then-British ambassador to the US, in the Oval Office last year.<\/span><cite class=\"sc-4820f69c-2 jnumBu\"><span class=\"sc-4820f69c-3 jkEJCb\">Bloomberg<\/span><\/cite><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&ldquo;I have been further linked this weekend to the understandable furore surrounding Jeffrey Epstein and I feel regretful and sorry about this,&rdquo; Mandelson said in a statement late on Sunday (London time).<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Allegations which I believe to be false that he made financial payments to me 20 years ago, and of which I have no record or recollection, need investigating by me. While doing this, I do not wish to cause further embarrassment to the Labour Party and I am therefore stepping down from membership of the party.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 hBgktT adWrapper noPrint sc-67b869c7-3 gsRMal\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 kRjajv\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-80607c67-0 byCHjx\" readability=\"28.684461391802\">\n<p>The latest disclosures reveal more about the full scale of Epstein&rsquo;s network, well beyond the US and the UK. They show his relentless contact with some of the European elite, including a politician in Slovakia, a former prime minister in Norway, a globe-trotting diplomat and the Norwegian princess.<\/p>\n<p>Whether the gossip was about girls, business or politics, the disgraced millionaire &ndash; who was said to be worth $US578 million (about $830 million) when he died &ndash; was constantly on his phone swapping information.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"sc-4820f69c-1 fhsnES\"><button aria-label=\"enlarge image\" type=\"button\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-5 bsFdcS\">\n<div imagesizes=\"[object Object]\" class=\"sc-f6db6fb8-0 finHbW\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.642%2C$multiply_0.9841%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_1%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/9829e40976cfbf32012b89ffa256a0ee11059309, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.642%2C$multiply_1.9683%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_1%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/9829e40976cfbf32012b89ffa256a0ee11059309 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.642%2C$multiply_1.0159%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_1%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/9829e40976cfbf32012b89ffa256a0ee11059309, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.642%2C$multiply_2.0317%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_1%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/9829e40976cfbf32012b89ffa256a0ee11059309 2x\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"In this July 30, 2008, file photo, Jeffrey Epstein, center, appears in court in West Palm Beach, Florida.\" aspectratios=\"[object Object]\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/%24zoom_0.642,%24multiply_0.7725,%24ratio_1.5,%24width_756,%24x_1,%24y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86,f_auto\/9829e40976cfbf32012b89ffa256a0ee11059309\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.642%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_1%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/9829e40976cfbf32012b89ffa256a0ee11059309, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.642%2C$multiply_1.545%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_1%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/9829e40976cfbf32012b89ffa256a0ee11059309 2x\" class=\"sc-f6db6fb8-1 gaGQmv\"><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 38 38\" height=\"38px\" width=\"38px\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-4 eROwEo\"><g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 22.029383, 7.619553)\"><path d=\"M1 8l6.36396103-6.36396103M8 7V1H2\"><\/path><\/g><g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 7.0731, 21.523087)\"><path d=\"M8 1L1.63603897 7.36396103M1 2v6h6\"><\/path><\/g><\/svg><\/p><\/button><figcaption data-testid=\"figure-caption\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-0 hMRMLa\"><span>In this July 30, 2008, file photo, Jeffrey Epstein, center, appears in court in West Palm Beach, Florida.<\/span><cite class=\"sc-4820f69c-2 jnumBu\"><span class=\"sc-4820f69c-3 jkEJCb\">AP<\/span><\/cite><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Norwegians knew of Mette-Marit&rsquo;s link to Epstein seven years ago when investigative journalists uncovered the connection, leading her to apologise in 2019 and say she cut off contact in 2013 because he was using their connection to influence others.<\/p>\n<p>But the latest emails include a message from early in 2014, when she asked about his Christmas, and highlight the intensity of their friendship in a way never revealed before.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 hBgktT adWrapper noPrint sc-67b869c7-3 gsRMal\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 kRjajv\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-80607c67-0 byCHjx\" readability=\"23.462719298246\">\n<p>When he told her he was in Paris in October 2012, she told him it was good for adultery. &ldquo;I miss my crazy friend,&rdquo; she emailed him in January 2013.<\/p>\n<p>The crown princess also shot him a question in November 2012: &ldquo;Is it inappropriate for a mother to suggest two naked women carrying a surfboard for my 15 yr old sons wallpaper?&rdquo; The document does not show his reply.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"sc-4820f69c-1 fhsnES\"><button aria-label=\"enlarge image\" type=\"button\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-5 bsFdcS\">\n<div imagesizes=\"[object Object]\" class=\"sc-f6db6fb8-0 finHbW\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.187%2C$multiply_0.9841%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/6868bfb3ae44ead3890ca780eeb0f727471f946a, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.187%2C$multiply_1.9683%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/6868bfb3ae44ead3890ca780eeb0f727471f946a 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.187%2C$multiply_1.0159%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/6868bfb3ae44ead3890ca780eeb0f727471f946a, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.187%2C$multiply_2.0317%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/6868bfb3ae44ead3890ca780eeb0f727471f946a 2x\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The Crown Princess (right) with her son Marius Borg H&oslash;iby.\" aspectratios=\"[object Object]\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/%24zoom_0.187,%24multiply_0.7725,%24ratio_1.5,%24width_756,%24x_0,%24y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86,f_auto\/6868bfb3ae44ead3890ca780eeb0f727471f946a\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.187%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/6868bfb3ae44ead3890ca780eeb0f727471f946a, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.187%2C$multiply_1.545%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/6868bfb3ae44ead3890ca780eeb0f727471f946a 2x\" class=\"sc-f6db6fb8-1 gaGQmv\"><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 38 38\" height=\"38px\" width=\"38px\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-4 eROwEo\"><g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 22.029383, 7.619553)\"><path d=\"M1 8l6.36396103-6.36396103M8 7V1H2\"><\/path><\/g><g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 7.0731, 21.523087)\"><path d=\"M8 1L1.63603897 7.36396103M1 2v6h6\"><\/path><\/g><\/svg><\/p><\/button><figcaption data-testid=\"figure-caption\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-0 hMRMLa\"><span>The Crown Princess (right) with her son Marius Borg H&oslash;iby.<\/span><cite class=\"sc-4820f69c-2 jnumBu\"><span class=\"sc-4820f69c-3 jkEJCb\">AP<\/span><\/cite><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The timing is awful for the crown princess and Norway&rsquo;s royal family. Mette-Marit is the wife of Crown Prince Haakon, the heir to the throne, and is facing a severe health crisis. She is hoping to have a lung transplant to recover from pulmonary fibrosis.<\/p>\n<p>Her son, Marius Borg H&oslash;iby, faces court this week on four counts of rape as well as assault and abuse. The case has shocked Norway with the claims from several women about his behaviour including death threats and violence.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 hBgktT adWrapper noPrint sc-67b869c7-3 gsRMal\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 kRjajv\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-80607c67-0 byCHjx\" readability=\"19.900503778338\">\n<p>H&oslash;iby was born to Mette-Marit in 1997, four years before she married Haakon, and is not a member of the Royal House of Norway. He has denied the serious accusations against him but may plead guilty to lesser charges, his lawyer told Reuters last year.<\/p>\n<aside data-testid=\"related-story\" class=\"sc-4dc7bff5-0 QbJUT\">\n<h2 data-testid=\"related-story-heading\" class=\"sc-4dc7bff5-1 fNPBEP\">Related Article<\/h2>\n<div data-an-position=\"1\" imagepositions=\"top\" data-testid=\"story-tile\" class=\"sc-679b6ed4-0 cMGLSH\">\n<figure imagesizes=\"[object Object]\" class=\"sc-8825a2fb-0 hUTlgn\">\n<div imagesizes=\"[object Object]\" class=\"sc-f6db6fb8-0 finHbW\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_1.0342%2C$multiply_0.2805%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/2ac50deacc5f08b8581e43129329db9aa148f7d3, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_1.0342%2C$multiply_0.5609%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/2ac50deacc5f08b8581e43129329db9aa148f7d3 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_1.0342%2C$multiply_0.2842%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/2ac50deacc5f08b8581e43129329db9aa148f7d3, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_1.0342%2C$multiply_0.5685%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/2ac50deacc5f08b8581e43129329db9aa148f7d3 2x\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Donald Trump and his now-wife, Melania, with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, in 2000.\" aspectratios=\"[object Object]\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/%24zoom_1.0342,%24multiply_0.5127,%24ratio_1.777778,%24width_1059,%24x_0,%24y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86,f_auto\/2ac50deacc5f08b8581e43129329db9aa148f7d3\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_1.0342%2C$multiply_0.5127%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/2ac50deacc5f08b8581e43129329db9aa148f7d3, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_1.0342%2C$multiply_1.0255%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/2ac50deacc5f08b8581e43129329db9aa148f7d3 2x\" class=\"sc-f6db6fb8-1 jPbKkO\"><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>There is no suggestion Mette-Marit did anything wrong. The emails seen by this masthead do not show any awareness of Epstein&rsquo;s abuse of women. Even so, the crown princess acknowledged on the weekend that she should not have befriended him.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I showed poor judgment and I deeply regret having had any contact with Epstein. It is simply embarrassing,&rdquo; she said in a statement.<\/p>\n<p>Others are showing the same regret after being exposed in the new documents.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 hBgktT adWrapper noPrint sc-67b869c7-3 gsRMal\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 kRjajv\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-80607c67-0 byCHjx\" readability=\"26.0768\">\n<p>Epstein was the subject of global headlines in July 2008 when he was convicted of soliciting sex from girls as young as 14. There was no secrecy about his prison sentence, although his plea deal meant some of the claims against him were suppressed.<\/p>\n<aside data-testid=\"related-story\" class=\"sc-4dc7bff5-0 QbJUT\">\n<h2 data-testid=\"related-story-heading\" class=\"sc-4dc7bff5-1 fNPBEP\">Related Article<\/h2>\n<div data-an-position=\"1\" imagepositions=\"top\" data-testid=\"story-tile\" class=\"sc-679b6ed4-0 cMGLSH\">\n<figure imagesizes=\"[object Object]\" class=\"sc-8825a2fb-0 hUTlgn\">\n<div imagesizes=\"[object Object]\" class=\"sc-f6db6fb8-0 finHbW\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.2211%2C$multiply_0.2805%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_98\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/58187a7b5e51ec3e0469c6d00f791439af62606d, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.2211%2C$multiply_0.5609%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_98\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/58187a7b5e51ec3e0469c6d00f791439af62606d 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.2211%2C$multiply_0.2842%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_98\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/58187a7b5e51ec3e0469c6d00f791439af62606d, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.2211%2C$multiply_0.5685%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_98\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/58187a7b5e51ec3e0469c6d00f791439af62606d 2x\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Documents that were included in the batch of files.\" aspectratios=\"[object Object]\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/%24zoom_0.2211,%24multiply_0.5127,%24ratio_1.777778,%24width_1059,%24x_0,%24y_98\/t_crop_custom\/q_86,f_auto\/58187a7b5e51ec3e0469c6d00f791439af62606d\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.2211%2C$multiply_0.5127%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_98\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/58187a7b5e51ec3e0469c6d00f791439af62606d, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.2211%2C$multiply_1.0255%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_98\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/58187a7b5e51ec3e0469c6d00f791439af62606d 2x\" class=\"sc-f6db6fb8-1 jPbKkO\"><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>When he emerged from prison in 2010, his money and connections helped open doors. Epstein was in touch with Mountbatten-Windsor almost as soon as he was free. He developed the friendship with the Norwegian crown princess later, around 2012. Many of these European relationships lasted for several years despite Epstein&rsquo;s reputation.<\/p>\n<p>Norway appeared to be a special focus. One of Epstein&rsquo;s contacts was Thorbj&oslash;rn Jagland, a former Norwegian prime minister and foreign minister and, from 2009 to 2015, the chairman of the Nobel Committee that awards some of the world&rsquo;s most prestigious prizes.<\/p>\n<p>Epstein messaged Jagland regularly about politics when the Norwegian was the secretary general of the Council of Europe from 2009 to 2019, according to latest documents. The emails show arrangements for Jagland and his wife and children to stay at Epstein&rsquo;s island in the Caribbean in 2014.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 hBgktT adWrapper noPrint sc-67b869c7-3 gsRMal\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 kRjajv\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-80607c67-0 byCHjx\" readability=\"20.963203463203\">\n<p>The Nobel committee removed Jagland as chairman without explanation in March 2015. The latest disclosures show that the Norwegian was in regular touch with Epstein for years in his official business around the world.<\/p>\n<aside data-testid=\"related-story\" class=\"sc-4dc7bff5-0 QbJUT\">\n<h2 data-testid=\"related-story-heading\" class=\"sc-4dc7bff5-1 fNPBEP\">Related Article<\/h2>\n<div data-an-position=\"1\" imagepositions=\"top\" data-testid=\"story-tile\" class=\"sc-679b6ed4-0 cMGLSH\">\n<figure imagesizes=\"[object Object]\" class=\"sc-8825a2fb-0 hUTlgn\">\n<div imagesizes=\"[object Object]\" class=\"sc-f6db6fb8-0 finHbW\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_1.0342%2C$multiply_0.2805%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/a1d776ca010247a1a072669d815521e3e9079638, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_1.0342%2C$multiply_0.5609%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/a1d776ca010247a1a072669d815521e3e9079638 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_1.0342%2C$multiply_0.2842%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/a1d776ca010247a1a072669d815521e3e9079638, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_1.0342%2C$multiply_0.5685%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/a1d776ca010247a1a072669d815521e3e9079638 2x\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Photographs of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor on all fours astride an unidentified woman were contained in three million pages of documents.\" aspectratios=\"[object Object]\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/%24zoom_1.0342,%24multiply_0.5127,%24ratio_1.777778,%24width_1059,%24x_0,%24y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86,f_auto\/a1d776ca010247a1a072669d815521e3e9079638\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_1.0342%2C$multiply_0.5127%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/a1d776ca010247a1a072669d815521e3e9079638, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_1.0342%2C$multiply_1.0255%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/a1d776ca010247a1a072669d815521e3e9079638 2x\" class=\"sc-f6db6fb8-1 jPbKkO\"><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>&ldquo;I have been in Tirana,&rdquo; Jagland messaged Epstein in May 2012. &ldquo;Extraordinary girls.&rdquo; He said he was on his way from Albania to Jordan, Palestine and Israel.<\/p>\n<p>There is no suggestion Jagland did anything wrong. The emails show him sharing observations with Epstein, not discussing anything illegal, but they confirm regular contact and friendly banter between the two.<\/p>\n<p><em>Dagens N&aelig;ringsliv<\/em>, a newspaper in Oslo, reported in 2020 that Jagland had denied meeting Epstein. It reported he had actually hosted Epstein and Microsoft founder Bill Gates in his Strasbourg residence in 2013.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 hBgktT adWrapper noPrint sc-67b869c7-3 gsRMal\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 kRjajv\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-80607c67-0 byCHjx\" readability=\"19.60103626943\">\n<p>Jagland was also a key link in documents that suggested a connection between Epstein and Kevin Rudd, the former prime minister and foreign minister.<\/p>\n<aside data-testid=\"related-story\" class=\"sc-4dc7bff5-0 QbJUT\">\n<h2 data-testid=\"related-story-heading\" class=\"sc-4dc7bff5-1 fNPBEP\">Related Article<\/h2>\n<div data-an-position=\"1\" imagepositions=\"top\" data-testid=\"story-tile\" class=\"sc-679b6ed4-0 cMGLSH\">\n<figure imagesizes=\"[object Object]\" class=\"sc-8825a2fb-0 hUTlgn\">\n<div imagesizes=\"[object Object]\" class=\"sc-f6db6fb8-0 finHbW\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.8164%2C$multiply_0.2805%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_192%2C$y_36\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/861f916d9b46ed06c567cb6ab80c8dc59f10dda1, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.8164%2C$multiply_0.5609%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_192%2C$y_36\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/861f916d9b46ed06c567cb6ab80c8dc59f10dda1 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.8164%2C$multiply_0.2842%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_192%2C$y_36\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/861f916d9b46ed06c567cb6ab80c8dc59f10dda1, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.8164%2C$multiply_0.5685%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_192%2C$y_36\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/861f916d9b46ed06c567cb6ab80c8dc59f10dda1 2x\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Kevin Rudd, outgoing Australia&rsquo;s ambassador to the US, on stage at the Institute of International Finance in Washington last year.\" aspectratios=\"[object Object]\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/%24zoom_0.8164,%24multiply_0.5127,%24ratio_1.777778,%24width_1059,%24x_192,%24y_36\/t_crop_custom\/q_86,f_auto\/861f916d9b46ed06c567cb6ab80c8dc59f10dda1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.8164%2C$multiply_0.5127%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_192%2C$y_36\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/861f916d9b46ed06c567cb6ab80c8dc59f10dda1, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.8164%2C$multiply_1.0255%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_192%2C$y_36\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/861f916d9b46ed06c567cb6ab80c8dc59f10dda1 2x\" class=\"sc-f6db6fb8-1 jPbKkO\"><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>&ldquo;Kevin Rudd, a friend of both of us just left my house,&rdquo; Jagland messaged Epstein in June 2016, while also raising the idea of a visit to the Caribbean island.<\/p>\n<p>Rudd, who will soon leave his position as ambassador to the US and resume his former post as head of the Asia Society, said he had no record of a meeting with Epstein in June 2014, as shown in the Department of Justice documents.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Dr Rudd also has no reason to believe that he ever met with Jeffrey Epstein at any time,&rdquo; said a statement from his office.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 hBgktT adWrapper noPrint sc-67b869c7-3 gsRMal\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 kRjajv\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-80607c67-0 byCHjx\" readability=\"25.234567901235\">\n<p>&ldquo;We cannot rule out the possibility that they might have attended the same event at some stage, since Dr Rudd has attended literally thousands of functions in New York over the years.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Another Norwegian, diplomat Terje R&oslash;d-Larsen, appears in thousands of the new documents, although many are duplicates of his messages with Epstein over several years.<\/p>\n<aside data-testid=\"related-story\" class=\"sc-4dc7bff5-0 QbJUT\">\n<h2 data-testid=\"related-story-heading\" class=\"sc-4dc7bff5-1 fNPBEP\">Related Article<\/h2>\n<div data-an-position=\"1\" imagepositions=\"top\" data-testid=\"story-tile\" class=\"sc-679b6ed4-0 cMGLSH\">\n<figure imagesizes=\"[object Object]\" class=\"sc-8825a2fb-0 hUTlgn\">\n<div imagesizes=\"[object Object]\" class=\"sc-f6db6fb8-0 finHbW\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.2758%2C$multiply_0.2805%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/01545f2fa263aef5f3df62f4066a8179da498920, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.2758%2C$multiply_0.5609%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/01545f2fa263aef5f3df62f4066a8179da498920 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.2758%2C$multiply_0.2842%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/01545f2fa263aef5f3df62f4066a8179da498920, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.2758%2C$multiply_0.5685%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/01545f2fa263aef5f3df62f4066a8179da498920 2x\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Katherine Keating.\" aspectratios=\"[object Object]\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/%24zoom_0.2758,%24multiply_0.5127,%24ratio_1.777778,%24width_1059,%24x_0,%24y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86,f_auto\/01545f2fa263aef5f3df62f4066a8179da498920\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.2758%2C$multiply_0.5127%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/01545f2fa263aef5f3df62f4066a8179da498920, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.2758%2C$multiply_1.0255%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/01545f2fa263aef5f3df62f4066a8179da498920 2x\" class=\"sc-f6db6fb8-1 jPbKkO\"><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>R&oslash;d-Larsen was president of the International Peace Institute, a non-profit group based in New York, from 2004 to 2020, and he was forced out when his link to Epstein was first revealed.<\/p>\n<p>Rudd, who chaired the IPI board when the details first surfaced in 2020, convened an extraordinary meeting to act on media reports that R&oslash;d-Larsen had accepted donations to the IPI from Epstein, as well as borrowing personally from him.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 hBgktT adWrapper noPrint sc-67b869c7-3 gsRMal\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 kRjajv\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-80607c67-0 byCHjx\" readability=\"27.977178423237\">\n<p>&ldquo;Epstein&rsquo;s crimes were hideous,&rdquo; said a statement from Rudd and the board at the time. &ldquo;The notion that IPI would be in any way engaged with such an odious character is repugnant to the institution&rsquo;s core values.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The latest Department of Justice documents show urgent messages from R&oslash;d-Larsen seeking phone calls with Epstein, and emails forwarding documents about business and politics. They run from 2011 to 2019, when Epstein died.<\/p>\n<p>The Oslo newspaper that has investigated the Epstein ties, <em>Dagens N&aelig;ringsliv<\/em>, reported on the weekend that R&oslash;d-Larsen&rsquo;s two children were named as beneficiaries in Epstein&rsquo;s will, but this masthead could not verify that claim.<\/p>\n<p>More exposure is certain when there are so many secrets to be discovered in the Department of Justice files. The messages show that Epstein worked his phone incessantly to share information with a network of political and business leaders across the US, the UK, Europe and Asia.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 hBgktT adWrapper noPrint sc-67b869c7-3 gsRMal\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 kRjajv\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-80607c67-0 byCHjx\" readability=\"25.212121212121\">\n<p>His contacts seemed eager to keep their friendship with Epstein. He offered girls, charter flights, lavish dinners, access to his island and sometimes advice.<\/p>\n<p>But that friendship came at a cost if and when revealed.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Girls are incredible!&rdquo; wrote Miroslav Laj&#269;&aacute;k to Epstein in a message from Moscow in October 2018. Laj&#269;&aacute;k was the foreign minister of Slovakia at the time, and was also president of the United Nations General Assembly for its 72nd session.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Duh,&rdquo; Epstein replied. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s their best export. Saudi has oil, Moscow has girls.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The message did not show any wrongdoing by Laj&#269;&aacute;k and this masthead is not suggesting he did anything wrong. The messages also canvassed setting up meetings with political leaders in Russia and elsewhere.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 hBgktT adWrapper noPrint sc-67b869c7-3 gsRMal\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 kRjajv\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-80607c67-0 byCHjx\" readability=\"17.67027027027\">\n<p>On Saturday, within 24 hours of the messages being released, Laj&#269;&aacute;k resigned as national security advisor to Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Not because of having done anything criminal or unethical in my actions, but I don&rsquo;t want [Fico] to bear the political costs for something that&rsquo;s unrelated to his decisions,&rdquo; he said.<\/p>\n<p>As more emails are revealed, others may express the same regret.<\/p>\n<p><b><i>Get a note directly from our foreign <\/i><\/b><b><i>correspondents <\/i><\/b><b><i>on what&rsquo;s making headlines around the world. <\/i><\/b><b><i>Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter<\/i><\/b><b><i>.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div data-testid=\"article-footer\" class=\"sc-780f6c39-0 gMidPz\">\n<div class=\"sc-780f6c39-1 bXzMFW noPrint\">\n<div class=\"sc-780f6c39-2 fDvLNJ\">\n<div class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-0 cGFoDo sc-780f6c39-3 csnzsK\" readability=\"6.3137254901961\"><button aria-checked=\"false\" aria-label=\"Save article to read later\" role=\"switch\" type=\"button\" class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-1 bYQiGM\"><svg fill=\"none\" height=\"24\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"24\" class=\"sc-d1b14060-0 bRyYMS\"><path d=\"M5.75 4C5.75 3.86193 5.86193 3.75 6 3.75H18C18.1381 3.75 18.25 3.86193 18.25 4L18.25 19.7709L12.8004 16.9682C12.2981 16.7099 11.7019 16.7099 11.1996 16.9682L5.75 19.7709L5.75 4Z\"><\/path><\/svg><span class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-2 bBuibL\">Save<\/span><\/button>\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"sc-ba6ddcd9-0 BgjOX sc-d1b14060-3 bnLMbo\" role=\"tooltip\" readability=\"8.0816326530612\">\n<p class=\"sc-d1b14060-4 NcyxX\">You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n<p>Remove items from your saved list to add more.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-b5b9fd03-0 ckGUXQ\">\n<div class=\"sc-b5b9fd03-1 iROwGF\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"David Crowe\" data-testid=\"author-avatar-image\" height=\"40\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/w_40,h_40,c_fill,g_auto:faces\/q_86,f_auto\/64ce109be56ceea0d7f4eb381757b1cddf9ee9b3\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/w_40,h_40,c_fill,g_auto:faces\/q_86,f_auto\/64ce109be56ceea0d7f4eb381757b1cddf9ee9b3, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/w_80%2Ch_80%2Cc_fill%2Cg_auto:faces\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/64ce109be56ceea0d7f4eb381757b1cddf9ee9b3 2x\" width=\"40\" class=\"sc-9a01536c-0 cJPmxL\"><span data-testid=\"author-bio\" class=\"sc-b5b9fd03-3 iaHQXJ\"><span>David Crowe is Europe correspondent for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.<\/span><span class=\"sc-b5b9fd03-4 jVqFia\">Connect via X<span> or <\/span>email.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"sc-3dbe4134-0 eKUqbd sc-df8e6ee0-0 noPrint\" data-an-name=\"From our partners\" data-an-cu-group=\"everything\" data-an-cu-name=\"From our partners\" data-an-cu-position=\"4\" data-testid=\"from-our-partners-strap\">\n<header class=\"sc-84567ec1-0 ea-dUAB\">\n<h2 data-pb-type=\"hi\" class=\"sc-84567ec1-1 qhIfr\"><span>From our partners<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"sc-df8e6ee0-1 dKvVOU\">\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 hgOejj adWrapper noPrint sc-df8e6ee0-2 aNDAi\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 kRjajv\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 hgOejj adWrapper noPrint sc-df8e6ee0-3 gRrJfI\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 kRjajv\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<p><sub>How the Epstein files exposed the rich, the royal and the European elite<\/sub><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Advertisement February 2, 2026 &mdash; 11:57am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it News :&lt;div&gt;12 weeks&#8217; jail for school IT support technician who took&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"more-link-wrap\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/how-the-epstein-files-exposed-the-rich-the-royal-and-the-european-elite\/\" class=\"more-link\">Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &ldquo;How the Epstein files exposed the rich, the royal and the European elite&rdquo;<\/span> &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":14926,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14925","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14925","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14925"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14925\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14926"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14925"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14925"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14925"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}