Norway’s Princess Martha Louise, 52, married her American partner Durek Verrett, a self-described “shaman” and spiritual guru, in a private ceremony on Saturday. The wedding took place against the backdrop of the picturesque Geiranger Fjord in western Norway, marking a union that has sparked both interest and controversy.
The evening celebration, on the third day of festivities, was attended by 350 guests, including members of the Swedish and Norwegian royal families, as well as various media personalities. The couple sold exclusive image rights to British celebrity magazine “Hello!” and film rights to streaming service Netflix, eschewing traditional royal wedding broadcasts.
Princess Martha Louise, the eldest child of King Harald V and Queen Sonja, both 87, is fourth in line to the Norwegian throne. This marks her second marriage, following her 2002-2017 union with Norwegian author Ari Behn, with whom she has three daughters.
Verrett, 49, describes himself as a “sixth-generation shaman” and has claimed abilities to communicate with spirits and ward off diseases. His unconventional beliefs and practices have drawn scrutiny, with Norwegian media labeling him a “conspiracy theorist.” In 2019, the publication of a Norwegian translation of one of his books was cancelled after the publisher found it contained misinformation about the causes of cancer.
The couple’s relationship, first announced in 2019, has been a subject of public debate in Norway, particularly regarding the use of royal titles for commercial purposes. In 2022, Princess Martha Louise stepped down from official royal duties to focus on her business ventures, agreeing not to use her title of princess for commercial activities.
However, controversy arose earlier this year when Martha Louise labeled bottles of gin with her royal title, launching the brand in time for her wedding. The labels were subsequently changed following public criticism.
This is not the first time the princess has faced scrutiny for her spiritual beliefs. In 2007, she claimed to be clairvoyant and said she could teach people to communicate with angels, sparking debate about the role of royalty in modern society.
As part of the marriage agreement, Verrett will become part of Norway’s extended royal family but will not be included in the core Royal House of Norway or receive the title of prince. The couple’s union represents a unique blend of tradition and modernity within the Norwegian monarchy, reflecting changing attitudes towards royalty and spirituality in contemporary Scandinavian society.
The wedding, while celebrated by many, continues to raise questions about the balance between personal freedom and royal responsibility in the 21st century. As Norway’s royal family navigates these complexities, the union of Princess Martha Louise and Durek Verrett will likely remain a topic of public interest and discussion for years to come.
