PRESS CONFERENCE, AUGUST 22nd, 2001

Mette-Marit Tjessem Høiby took the initiative herself at the pre-wedding press conference at the Royal Palace to address the speculations and rumours that have swirled around her past since she first became romantically involved with Crown Prince Haakon Magnus. She dismissed her former involvement in Oslo's house party circles as part of a youthful rebellion "that was much stronger than many others'." "I was in an environment where my rebellion was tested and we went to extremes," she said, using the Norwegian word "utsvevende," which translates to "wild," especially in a sexual sense. She said it all amounted to "very expensive lesson for me." Mette-Marit, fighting back tears and holding Crown Prince Haakon's hand, said she realized that her earlier lifestyle has been difficult for many Norwegians to accept "and I'm very sorry about that." She said the references to her past have also been hurtful, "but I unfortunately can't make those earlier choices again, no matter how much I wish I could." She also claimed she now "distances herself" from the use of drugs. She then said she didn't want to answer any more questions about her past.