Pre-wedding celebration hosted by Martha Louise before her nuptials - Mette-Marit and Haakon collaborate together
The grand matrimonial festivities of Princess Martha Louise (52) and Durek Verrett (49) are in full swing. Set to officially tie the knot next Saturday (31.8.), the princess and the shaman have already commenced their celebration on Thursday. On this day, the newlyweds-to-be extended invitations under the banner "Sexy and Cool" to their wedding reception at the Hotel 1904, nestled within the picturesque fjords of Norway.
The following day, Friday afternoon, saw the couple extending invitations for a boat trip to their 350 guests. This sojourn took the participants from Ålesund to Geiranger, as reported by "Hello", covering the wedding exclusively.
Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit in a laid-back avatar
Among the guests, one found Crown Prince Haakon (51) and Crown Princess Mette-Marit (51) along with their children; Princess Ingrid Alexandra (20) and Prince Sverre Magnus (18). Opting for a laid-back look, the family donned casual attire for the boat trip. Mette-Marit chose a cream-colored zip-neck sweater, yellow pants, sneakers, and a large tartan bag. Crown Prince Haakon too seemed relaxed in jeans, a sweater, and light blue sneakers.
Additional royals graced the celebrations with their presence, including Swedish Crown Princess Victoria (47) and Prince Daniel (50) along with Victoria's brother Prince Carl Philip (45) and his wife Princess Sofia (39).
Salsa Night before the Big Day
The wedding ceremony will unfold on August 31st at the Hotel Union, with the stunning Geirangerfjord as its backdrop. At this point, Martha Louise's parents, King Harald V. (87) and Queen Sonja (87), will grace the event. Preceding this, a party held at the wedding venue on Friday evening will celebrate with a Latin American theme.
The older sister of the Norwegian Crown Prince Haakon, this is Martha Louise's second marital adventure. Her previous husband was author Ari Behn (1972-2019), with whom she was married from 2002 to 2017, and together they share three daughters: Maud (20), Leah (18), and Emma (15). Since 2018, Martha Louise has been in a relationship with the American Durek Verrett, and they got engaged in 2022.
Reflections before the Nuptials: "Love struck again"
Expressing her thoughts before the wedding, the bride remarked to "Hello", "I had ruled out another marriage. However, after meeting Durek in 2018, I had a change of heart. For me, marriage represents the deepening of our bond. It signifies an increase in energy and introduction to a new phase in our relationship." Durek, sharing his perspective, remarked, "Marriage is a profoundly spiritual act."
Exclusive photographs and the Royal Family's stance
The public's opinions are divided regarding the wedding. The couple's past transgressions have earned them critical acclaim, in addition to the controversy sparked by their decision to sell the rights to non-public media. In response to this, Crown Prince Haakon announced the royal family's decision to attend the wedding but refrain from posing for any exclusive photographs.
The Commission discussed the royal family's decision to attend the wedding but not pose for exclusive photographs, taking into account the public's divided opinions and the couple's past controversies. On the day of the Salsa Night, The Commission ensured that the wedding venue was equipped with appropriate facilities to cater to the Latin American theme, ensuring a memorable evening for the guests.
