Royal Controversy: Princess Märtha Louise of Norway Marries Shaman Durek Verret in Lavish Ceremony
Staff Editor Norwegian Princess Weds American Shaman in Controversial Ceremony
Princess Märtha Louise of Norway tied the knot with American shaman Durek Verret in a lavish ceremony in Geiranger, Norway, following three days of festivities. The wedding, held in a large white tent on a lush lawn, has stirred controversy due to the couple’s decision to sell photo rights to Hello! magazine and film rights to Netflix, a move that has drawn criticism from Norwegian media.
The royal guest list included King Harald, Queen Sonja, and other Norwegian royals, as well as representatives from the Swedish royal house. However, notable absences were observed from other European royal families.
This union comes at a time when the Norwegian royal family faces waning public support and recent negative press surrounding a family member’s domestic violence charges. The couple’s relationship with the media has been contentious, with both preferring to promote themselves via social media platforms.
Princess Märtha Louise and Durek Verret are well-known for their alternative beliefs. The princess claims to communicate with angels, while Verret asserts his ability to communicate with spirits and promotes a medallion purportedly capable of warding off spells and curing diseases. Their engagement was announced in 2022.
Following the marriage, Verret will not receive a royal title nor undertake official duties. The couple had previously agreed in 2019 not to use Märtha Louise’s royal connection for commercial purposes. However, this agreement was tested earlier this year when the princess labeled gin bottles with her title, defying King Harald’s directive. The label was subsequently changed.
This marks Princess Märtha Louise’s second marriage. She was previously married to Ari Behn for 14 years before their divorce in 2017. The princess has three children from her first marriage.
As the royal couple embarks on their new life together, questions remain about how they will navigate their public roles and commercial interests while maintaining their connection to the Norwegian royal family.
