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Princess Sofia is speaking out publicly for the first time about her past connection to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
On Feb. 10, the 41-year-old addressed reporters before appearing at the Ctrl + Rights Youth Summit at the Intiman Theater in Stockholm.
"I met him in a couple of social settings," said the wife of Prince Carl Philip about Epstein, according to Sweden’s TV4 via an English translation.
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Princess Sofia, Duchess of Värmland, arrives at the Ctrl + Rights Youth Summit at The Intiman Theater on Feb. 10, 2026, in Stockholm, Sweden. (Michael Campanella/Getty Images)
"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."
"My thoughts go out to all the victims, and I hope there is justice in this," said the mother of four.
The Swedish royal added that she met Epstein at a social event and a film screening.
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"Thank goodness it was just that," she said.
Royal commentator Amanda Matta told Fox News Digital that when a senior member of the royal family publicly addresses Epstein head-on, it’s no small thing — it’s a bold move that puts accountability and public trust front and center.
"Princess Sofia’s decision to address this directly is significant because she didn’t necessarily have to," Matta explained.
Ahead of her appearance at the Ctrl + Rights Youth Summit, Princess Sofia of Sweden broke her silence about late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. (Michael Campanella/Getty Images)
"She’s seen as a possible victim, not an intimate associate or someone who maintained contact with Epstein after his conviction. Other royals with closer Epstein ties have, so far, relied on official palace statements or chosen to stay silent," Matta added.
"Sofia's inclusion in the files underscores how large and enticing Epstein's social circle was in the early 2000s, even to young women," Matta shared.
Princess Sofia of Sweden attends the Nobel Prize Banquet 2022 at Stockholm City Hall on Dec. 10, 2022. (Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)
"She is absolutely right to remark, 'thank goodness’ that her ties to him did not go beyond a few brushes at public events. For that reason, this story is unlikely to be damaging to her public image in the long run. By speaking now, she’s also prevented further speculation from taking off."
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Princess Sofia, Duchess of Varmland, during the Ctrl + Rights Youth Summit at The Intiman Theater on Feb. 10, 2026, in Stockholm. The Ctrl + Rights Youth Summit takes place annually to align with Safe Internet Day, focusing on safe internet use and digital rights for children. (Michael Campanella/Getty Images)
The princess broke her silence about a week and a half after the Department of Justice (DOJ) released more than 3 million records connected to the late financier, including his personal emails.
The latest batch included three photos of Britain’s Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor on all fours over an unidentified woman lying on the ground on her back. The woman is fully clothed, and her face is blacked out.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was featured in three new photos from the recent Epstein files drop. (Department of Justice)
In December, the Royal Court of Sweden acknowledged that Princess Sofia met Epstein "on a few occasions" after newly surfaced emails appeared to link the royal to the late convicted sex offender.
The Swedish Royal Court addressed a recent report about Princess Sofia of Sweden, telling Fox News Digital she met Jeffrey Epstein "on a few occasions about 20 years ago." They stressed that the meetings took place in social settings, and she never received help from the late convicted sex offender. (Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)
The former model and reality TV starlet met the disgraced financier through her mentor, Swedish businesswoman Barbro Ehnbom, in 2005, according to emails published by the Swedish outlet Dagens Nyheter and cited by People.
"The recent media reporting regarding Princess Sofia has given rise to speculation about the Princess and her alleged relationship with Jeffrey Epstein," a spokesperson for the Royal Court of Sweden told Fox News Digital in a statement.
Sofia Hellqvist, future princess, and friend Sivan Mor attend a St. Patrick's Day party on March 17, 2008, in New York City. (Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
"The Royal Court has responded to questions from Dagens Nyheter about whether the Princess in her 20s was introduced to Jeffrey Epstein."
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Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell were both indicted on federal sex trafficking charges stemming from Epstein's years of abuse of underage girls. (Joe Schildhorn/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
"The Royal Court notes the significant media interest in this matter," the spokesperson shared.
"At the same time, it is important that the reporting remains focused on what is relevant. No one can be expected to remember every person they have encountered throughout their life; however, Princess Sofia recalls meeting Epstein on a few occasions about 20 years ago."
This undated photo shows ex-Prince Andrew of Britain and Jeffrey Epstein at Ascot in the U.K. (Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images)
"We wish to clarify that these meetings took place in social settings, such as at a restaurant and a movie premiere," the statement continued. "Reports that the Princess received help from Epstein with acting lessons or with a visa to the United States are incorrect."
Jeffrey Epstein was connected with several prominent people, including politicians, actors and academics. (Rick Friedman/Corbis via Getty Images)
"The Princess has never been dependent on him in any way, nor has she had any contact with him for the past 20 years," the statement concluded.
Ehnbom reportedly wrote in a December 2005 email, "This is Sofia, an aspiring actress who just arrived in New York. She’s the girl I told you about before I left, who I thought you might like to meet. Maybe we can visit before you go on holiday?" The message included a photo.
Epstein reportedly replied, "I’m in the Caribbean. Does she want to come for a couple of days? I’ll send a ticket."
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A building stands on top of a hill on Little Saint James island, which was owned by fund manager Jeffrey Epstein, in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, circa 2019. (Marco Bello/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
It’s believed that Epstein was inviting Sofia to Little Saint James, his privately owned island, where he was accused of sex trafficking minors.
The Swedish Royal Court told the outlet that Sofia was "introduced to the person in question on a few occasions around 2005." Officials also noted that Sofia did not accept the invitation to join Epstein in the Caribbean.
The outlet also published a 2006 email from Epstein’s assistant to Ehnbom that read, "Jeffrey wonders what really happened with Camilla. Did you tell her she has a ticket to New York anytime she wants?"
Sofia Hellqvist (left) was an aspiring actress, model and reality TV personality before she became a member of the Swedish royal family. (Djamilla Rosa Cochran/WireImage/Getty Images)
"I think he means Sofia, the little beautiful dark-haired girl who had her friend Camilla with her," Ehnbom reportedly replied. It was noted that Epstein offered both women spots at an acting school, but there were issues with their visas.
Fox News Digital reached out to Ehnbom for comment.
In 2008, Epstein pleaded guilty in Florida to state charges of procuring a minor for prostitution and solicitation of prostitution. More than a decade later, in 2019, he was indicted on federal sex-trafficking charges involving minors. He died that year at age 66 while awaiting trial.
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Sofia Hellqvist, who later became Princess Sofia, was bullied by tabloids for her past work as a model. (FameFlynet/Backgrid)
"In the mid-2000s, Sofia was an aspiring actress and model trying to establish herself in New York," Matta previously told Fox News Digital.
"Unfortunately, Jeffrey Epstein’s social web touched nearly every corner of that world. Being introduced to him at that time doesn’t mean she was complicit in, or even aware of, what would later come to light about his crimes. If anything, young women like Sofia may well have been the ones being groomed, not the other way around."
Jeffrey Epstein was found dead behind bars in 2019. (Rick Friedman/Rick Friedman Photography/Corbis via Getty Images)
"The kind of straightforward response we saw from Sweden is very characteristic of the Scandinavian monarchies," Matta said.
Princess Sofia and Prince Carl Philip of Sweden share four children. (Iwi Onodera/WireImage/Getty Images)
"They tend to favor calm, pragmatic damage control over the defensive or drawn-out approach we often see from the British royals. I doubt Sofia will face any formal repercussions unless more details emerge that shed light on actual misconduct, given how long ago this took place and how firmly she’s distanced herself from it."
Royal commentator Amanda Matta told Fox News Digital that Princess Sofia has remained dedicated to the crown. (Ragnar Singsaas/Getty Images)
As a model, Sofia famously posed topless with a boa constrictor for the Swedish men’s magazine Slitz. She went on to appear in the reality TV show "Paradise Hotel" in 2005.
Prince Carl Philip is the only son of Sweden’s King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia. (Mark Cuthbert/Julian Parker/UK Press via Getty Images)
According to multiple reports, Sofia met Prince Carl Philip, 46, the only son of King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia, at a Swedish nightclub through mutual friends in 2009. Their relationship became public in 2010.
Prince Carl Philip and his wife Princess Sofia after their marriage ceremony on June 13, 2015, in Stockholm, Sweden. (Gisela Schober/Getty Images)
The couple married in 2015 and went on to launch the Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia Foundation, which raises awareness about the harmful effects of online bullying and hate speech.
Matta told Fox News Digital that Sofia has dedicated herself to royal duties since joining the Swedish royal family.
Princess Sofia and Prince Carl Philip attend Sweden's National Day on June 06, 2024, in Stockholm. (Michael Campanella/Getty Images)
"The Scandinavian monarchies tend to operate with greater transparency than some of their European counterparts, and Sofia's past before her marriage has always been a part of her story," said Matta. "If anything, the fact that she addressed this perceived link to Epstein head-on may reinforce positive perceptions of her."
Stephanie Nolasco covers entertainment at Foxnews.com.
