Norway princess and US shaman’s wedding begins after years of ‘turmoil’

The long-anticipated wedding of Norwegian Princess Märtha Louise and her American partner, self-proclaimed shaman Durek Verrett, has commenced after years of public scrutiny and personal challenges. The celebrations began on Thursday in Alesund, a picturesque town in western Norway, where hundreds of guests gathered at a historic hotel for an initial meet-and-greet.

On Friday, the festivities continued as attendees embarked on a scenic boat trip to Geiranger, a charming village on the fjord that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The wedding itinerary promises a “light lunch on the boat” accompanied by breathtaking views of majestic mountains and cascading waterfalls. The couple’s nuptials are set to take place in a private ceremony on Saturday.

Among the attendees are members of the Swedish royal family, along with various social media influencers and celebrities, including U.S. reality star Cynthia Bailey. Norwegian media reports that guests have been instructed to avoid using mobile phones or cameras and are prohibited from posting on social media during the event.

Princess Märtha Louise, 52, and Durek Verrett, 49, announced their engagement in 2022. Märtha Louise, the eldest daughter of Norwegian King Harald V, was previously married to the late writer Ari Behn. The couple had three daughters—Maud, Leah, and Emma—before their divorce in 2017. Behn, who had publicly struggled with depression, passed away on Christmas Day 2019.

Märtha Louise has been a controversial figure in Norway due to her involvement in alternative practices. She lost her title of “Her Royal Highness” in 2002 to pursue her own business ventures. In 2007, she revealed her clairvoyant abilities and ran a school that she claimed helped students “create miracles” and communicate with angels until 2018. In an interview she reflected on the “turmoil” surrounding her non-traditional royal path, noting that her spiritual pursuits have often been met with criticism in Norway, where such beliefs are considered taboo.

Durek Verrett describes himself on his website as a sixth-generation shaman and “servant of god and energy activator,” who aims to “demystify spirituality” through straightforward teachings. In a Vanity Fair interview, he claimed to have risen from the dead and shared that a relative had predicted his future marriage to a Norwegian princess.

Märtha Louise announced her relationship with Verrett on Instagram in 2019, preempting criticism by stating, “It is not up to you to choose for me or to judge me. Shaman Durek is merely a man I love spending my time with and who fulfills me.” Despite her defense, many Norwegians remain skeptical of Verrett, citing his unconventional views and cultural differences.

This weekend’s wedding ceremony will adhere to traditional customs, with Parish Priest Margit Lovise Holte officiating according to Norwegian Church liturgy. Although the couple’s spiritual beliefs are unconventional, the ceremony itself will follow established practices.

Upon their engagement announcement, it was reported that Verrett would relocate to Norway and join the royal family without an official title. Märtha Louise and Verrett have since purchased a house in Norway. In 2022, the Norwegian palace stated that Märtha Louise would “relinquish her patronage role” to clearly separate her personal activities from the Royal House, aiming to avoid misunderstandings.

King Harald has expressed support for the couple, describing Verrett as “a great guy” and noting that he and the princess share many laughs, even during challenging times. However, some critics feel that the princess’s commercial ventures, such as a commemorative wedding gin, display a lack of respect for her royal duties.

Local discontent has been exacerbated by the couple’s decision to limit media coverage to an exclusive deal with Hello! magazine. Critics argue that this arrangement prevents the public from accessing information about the event. Additionally, it was recently revealed that Märtha Louise and Verrett have been collaborating with Netflix on a documentary about their relationship.

Princess Märtha Louise, who is King Harald’s eldest child and fourth in line to the throne, continues to navigate her role amid ongoing debate and media attention. Her younger brother, Crown Prince Haakon, is set to succeed their father as king.