- Royal Family Member Princess Martha Louise Ties the Knot with a Shaman
Peak of their unusual love journey with a stunning setting: Norwegian Royal heiress Martha Louise (52) and self-proclaimed shaman Durek Verrett (49) formalized their union at the awe-inspiring Geirangerfjord. Over two years since their engagement, the offspring of King Harald V. and her American companion sealed their vows in a private tent ceremony. A spokesperson for the wedding confirmed this to Norwegian outlets, absent due to exclusive rights granted to a British celebrity magazine.
A witness described the ceremony as "utterly enchanting" with gospel music and "an abundance of affection". "We were truly touched." Another guest told the newspaper "Verdens Gang": "Hollywood meets Geiranger. It was quite beautiful."
The couple remained hidden behind white sheets, but TV2 displayed Princess Martha in her white wedding gown and Durek getting a hug from the King. With his marriage to Martha Louise, Verrett now becomes an affirmed part of the royal family, minus the title.
Post-wedding tea and subsequent cocktails at a nearby hotel, the couple and 350 guests joined the mammoth wedding soirée. Prior to the ceremony, many guests strolled over a red carpet, many in traditional Norwegian attire.
King Harald (87) and Crown Prince Haakon (51) sported tuxedos and suits accordingly, while Queen Sonja (87), Crown Princess Mette-Marit (51), Princess Ingrid Alexandra (20), and Prince Sverre Magnus (18) wore traditional garbs. Mette-Marit's son from a previous relationship, Marius Borg Høiby (27), was absent. Recent accusations of violence against him have surfaced.
Unconventional pair with a penchant for mysticism
Martha Louise, firstborn child of the royal family and Haakon's elder sister, occupies the fourth position in the Norwegian succession. This is her second marriage; she was married to writer Ari Behn (1972-2019) from 2002 to 2017 and has three daughters. She is renowned for her fascination with spirituality and the mystic world.
Verrett asserts himself as a sixth-generation shaman from California. The 49-year-old claims to assist individuals in discovering their inner strength spiritually. "Shamanism essentially implies that I serve as a conduit to the spiritual realm," he once mentioned. Critics criticize him for promoting dubious theories regarding diseases and their origins. He views himself as misinterpreted and, at times, a target of racism.
The duo came out in the open about their relationship in 2019, following a run-in through a mutual friend. Since then, they have encountered numerous controversies, including criticism of Verrett's advocacy for alternative medicines. He claimed that a medallion he marketed aided him in overcoming a COVID-19 infection.
Controversies surrounding the anti-corona medallion and Maria Louise's title also emerged.
Repeatedly, the couple faced accusations of utilizing Princess Martha Louise's title for commercial purposes. This suspicion stems from the early stages of their relationship when they embarked on a speaking tour billed as "The Princess and the Shaman". It was decided that same year that Martha Louise would no longer use her title for commercial purposes. In 2022, she resigned from all official duties for the royal household to clearly separate her court role and business endeavors.
Various controversies arose during the wedding preparations, the latest being an exclusive contract with celebrity magazine "Hello!": Defying conventions, the couple sold the exclusive rights to their wedding and reception images to the magazine for an undisclosed sum. A Netflix team is also said to have secured the film rights. Local media were excluded from the most significant moments of the wedding - a situation many found preposterous.
Multi-day Wedding Festivities
The controversies did not dampen the festive mood. Martha Louise and Durek had already pre-celebrated with their guests, mostly from Norway and the US, for two days. A get-together took place in nearby Ålesund, followed by a salsa party in Geiranger, where the couple captivated their guests with their dance moves.
At the actual wedding and reception, royals from abroad were present, albeit fewer than at Martha Louise's first wedding. Swedish Crown Princess Victoria (47) attended with her husband Prince Daniel (50), her brother Prince Carl Philip (45), and his wife Princess Sofia (39). Prince Constantijn (54) and Princess Laurentien (58) from the Netherlands were also among the invitees.
During the heartfelt speeches at the salsa party, Martha Louise expressed her feelings, saying, "I love you, Durek, more than words can express." Later, as they danced in the spotlight, a guest commented, "It was evident that their love for each other was the true headliner of this unusual celebration."
