- Royal Family Member Princess Martha Louise tie the knot with a Spiritual Healer
Peak of Their Unconventional Love Saga: Norwegian Princess Martha Louise and self-styled shaman Durek Verrett sealed their union at the awe-inspiring Geirangerfjord. Over two years following their engagement, Martha Louise, daughter of King Harald V, and her American partner, exchanged vows in a private tent ceremony. The news was confirmed by a wedding representative to Norwegian media, excluded due to exclusive rights granted to a leading British celebrity mag.
A guest described the ceremony to broadcaster NRK as "completely captivating" with soulful music and an abundance of affection. "We were incredibly touched." Another guest told "Verdens Gang" newspaper: "Hollywood in Geiranger. It was stunningly beautiful."
The couple remained hidden behind white draperies, however, TV 2 briefly unveiled the princess in her white wedding gown and the groom in his tuxedo, being embraced by the king. As Verrett's spouse, he now officially becomes a member of the royal clan. Despite this, a title will not be bestowed upon him.
Martha Louise's Wedding: Mette-Marit in Customary Attire
Following an afternoon tea and subsequent cocktails at a nearby hotel, the evening revelled in an extravagant wedding celebration for the couple and the 350 invited guests. Many guests tread the red carpet in traditional Norwegian attire prior to the ceremony.
While King Harald and Crown Prince Haakon donned tuxedos and suits respectively, Queen Sonja, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, and Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus wore customary attire. Mette-Marit's son from a prior relationship, Marius Borg Høiby, was absent. He has recently been involved in allegations of violence.
Controversial Pair with a Penchant for the Esoteric
Martha Louise, the firstborn child of the royal pair, and the older sister of the heir apparent Haakon, is fourth in line to the Norwegian throne. This is the princess's second marriage; she was previously wed to writer Ari Behn from 2002 to 2017 and has three daughters. She is renowned for her interest in spirituality and the esoteric.
Verrett professes to be a shaman of the sixth generation in his family. The 49-year-old from California aspires to assist individuals in discovering their inner strength spiritually. "Shamanism essentially means I serve as a conduit to the spirit realm," he once stated. Detractors accuse him of propagating dubious notions about illnesses and their origins, which he denies, claiming he is misinterpreted and occasionally subject to racism.
The couple went public with their relationship in 2019 following an introduction through a mutual acquaintance. Since then, they have weathered controversy, with critics assailing Verrett's advocacy for non-conventional medical treatments, such as his assertion that a medallion he retailed aided him in overcoming a COVID-19 infection.
Controversies Surrounding Anti-Corona Medallion and Princess Title
Frequently, the couple has been accused of leveraging Martha Louise's princess title for commercial purposes. This allegation stems from the outset of their relationship when they embarked on a speaking tour dubbed "The Princess and the Shaman." The same year, a resolution was made that Martha Louise would no longer employ her title for business purposes. In 2022, she ultimately resigned from all official obligations for the royal house to distinguish her role at court from her professional activities.
During the wedding preparations, controversies surfaced, such as a dispute over an exclusive contract with celebrity magazine "Hello!": Against convention, the couple sold the exclusive rights to their wedding and reception to the magazine for an undisclosed amount. A Netflix team is also reported to have secured the film rights. While local media were dismissed from the most significant moments of the wedding, many pointed out that they had been excluded from crucial events.
The wedding festivities spanned numerous days. Martha Louise and Durett had previously celebrated with their guests, primarily from Norway and the US, on the two preceding days. A welcome party was held in nearby Ålesund, followed by a salsa party in Geiranger, where the couple mesmerized their guests with their lively moves.
At the actual wedding and reception, foreign royals were present, albeit fewer than at Martha Louise's first wedding. Sweden's Crown Princess Victoria attended with her husband Prince Daniel, her brother Prince Carl Philip, and his wife Princess Sofia. Prince Constantijn and Princess Laurentien from the Netherlands were also among the guests.
The wedding celebration was filled with guests dressed in traditional Norwegian attire before the ceremony, showcasing the country's rich culture. With many dignitaries in attendance, even foreign royals like Sweden's Crown Princess Victoria and her family, the event celebrated the union of Norwegian Princess Martha Louise and her partner Durek Verrett, now an official member of the royal clan, hailing from ['Norway'] and ['California'], respectively.
