Before marrying Prince Carl Philip in 2015, Sofia Hellqvist worked as a model and television personality

Princess Sofia has publicly addressed her past links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein for the first time, stating she encountered him only briefly in social settings more than 20 years ago and had no further contact.

Speaking to reporters in Stockholm on February 10, the Swedish royal was questioned as she arrived at the Ctrl + Rights Youth Summit at the Intiman Theatre, held to mark Safe Internet Day.

The event marked a rare occasion in which Princess Sofia directly responded to media questions on the issue.

“I met him in a couple of social settings. Now that I have read about the horrific crimes he subjected young women to, I am so grateful that I have had nothing to do with him since the few occasions in my 20s,” Princess Sofia said, according to Sweden’s TV4, via an English translation.

“My thoughts go out to all the victims, and I hope there is justice in this.”

She added that she encountered Epstein at a social gathering and a film screening, saying: “Thank goodness it was just that.”

Princess Sofia’s comments come shortly after the US Department of Justice released a further tranche of documents linked to Epstein, prompting renewed scrutiny of his historical associations with prominent figures.

Being named in documents connected to Epstein does not, in itself, indicate wrongdoing.

Princess issues statement on Jeffrey Epstein’s ‘terrible crimes’ as she admits to meeting him at screening

 | GETTY

Before marrying Prince Carl Philip in 2015, Sofia Hellqvist worked as a model and television personality.

Swedish newspaper Dagens Nyheter has reported that she met Epstein in the mid-2000s through Barbro Ehnbom, a Swedish financier who has been described in media reports as a former mentor and who later attended Sofia’s royal wedding.

In December 2025, Dagens Nyheter published email correspondence between Epstein and Ehnbom dating back to 2005.

In one message, Ehnbom wrote: “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?”

Epstein pleaded guilty to prostitution charges, including one involving a minor, in 2008 and served 18 months in prison | GETTY

Epstein’s reply, according to the outlet, read: “I’m in the Caribbean. Does she want to come for a couple of days? I’ll send a ticket.”

The Swedish Royal Court confirmed to Dagens Nyheter that Princess Sofia was introduced to Epstein “on a few occasions around 2005,” before his 2008 conviction in the United States for soliciting prostitution, including with a minor. Epstein later faced federal sex trafficking charges in 2019 and died in prison while awaiting trial.

The Palace said Sofia did not accept the invitation to travel to the Caribbean and stressed she had no further dealings with Epstein.

Additional correspondence published by Dagens Nyheter included a 2006 email exchange between Epstein’s assistant and Ehnbom.

In one message, the assistant asked: “Jeffrey wonders what really happened with Camilla. Did you tell her she has a ticket to New York anytime she wants?”

Ehnbom replied: “I think he means Sofia, the little beautiful dark-haired girl who had her friend Camilla with her.” She also referred to Epstein offering acting school places, which she said were complicated by visa issues.

Separately, Swedish outlet Expressen reported on a group photograph allegedly sent by Ehnbom to Epstein in 2008 that included Sofia among several women.

The report emerged as the Swedish Royal Family attended the Nobel Prize Awards ceremony in Stockholm, an event Princess Sofia did not attend that year.

The Swedish Royal Court sought to clarify the matter, saying: “The recent media reporting regarding Princess Sofia has given rise to speculation about the Princess and her alleged relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.

“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.

“We wish to clarify that these meetings took place in social settings, such as at a restaurant and a movie premiere.”

The court added: “Reports that the Princess received help from Epstein with acting lessons or with a visa to the United States are incorrect. The Princess has never been dependent on him in any way, nor has she had any contact with him for the past 20 years.”

Princess Sofia has carried out full-time royal duties since marrying Prince Carl Philip in June 2015. The couple share four children, the youngest of whom recently turned one.

GB News has contacted the Swedish Royal Court for comment.