A renewed controversy has emerged for the Swedish royal family as Princess Sofia faces scrutiny over her past connections with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. The news comes amid global attention on royal appearances at the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony in Oslo, where Princess Sofia was notably absent.

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Background: Princess Sofia and Jeffrey Epstein

According to reports, Princess Sofia, a former model and reality TV personality, met Jeffrey Epstein on a few occasions around 2005. These meetings were confirmed by Sweden’s Royal Court and surfaced in a story published by Dagens Nyheter, which highlighted emails exchanged between Epstein and Swedish-American businesswoman Barbro Ehnbom, a mentor to Sofia.

In one December 2005 email, Ehnbom described Sofia as an aspiring actress who had just arrived in New York and suggested a possible introduction to Epstein. Epstein reportedly offered to arrange a visit to his Caribbean residence. The Royal Court emphasized that Sofia did not accept the invitation and has had no contact with Epstein for the past 20 years.

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Princess Sofia’s Current Life and Responsibilities

Princess Sofia married Prince Carl Philip of Sweden in 2015, and the couple has four children, including their youngest daughter, Ines, born in February 2025. The Royal Court stated that Princess Sofia’s absence from Oslo was due to caring for her infant daughter, not the controversy surrounding Epstein.

Despite the resurfaced connection, Princess Sofia has remained largely respected in Sweden, and the Royal Court maintains her interactions with Epstein were minimal and occurred decades ago.

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Comparison to Other Royal Fallout

While Princess Sofia’s connection is minor, the Epstein scandal has had significant consequences for Britain’s Prince Andrew, who maintained a longer association with Epstein starting in 1999. Prince Andrew faced allegations from Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre, who claimed the royal engaged in sexual acts with her when she was 17—a claim he denies.

Prince Andrew settled a civil lawsuit with Giuffre prior to her death and has lost multiple royal titles and privileges. He is now formally known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, highlighting the stark contrast between the fallout for different European royals associated with Epstein.

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Public and Media Reaction

The resurfacing of Epstein-related ties has triggered media scrutiny and public debate in Sweden. While Princess Sofia’s limited and decades-old interactions with Epstein are acknowledged, commentators emphasize the Royal Court’s transparency and her continued commitment to royal duties and family responsibilities.

The story underscores the lasting impact of Epstein’s network and the intense media focus on any figure, especially royals, with past associations—even indirect or decades-old.

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Conclusion

Princess Sofia’s absence from the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony coincided with renewed attention to her brief historical link to Jeffrey Epstein. However, Swedish authorities and the Royal Court emphasize that she had no ongoing contact with Epstein, has not accepted invitations from him, and remains fully committed to her family and public duties.

The incident highlights the challenges European royals face in balancing past associations with their public image, particularly when scandals involve globally notorious figures like Epstein.