Norway’s Princess Märtha Louise weds American shaman

Princess Märtha Louise of Norway recently wed American self-proclaimed shaman Durek Verrett in a private ceremony that has stirred considerable debate within Norway. The nuptials took place at a luxury hotel in Geiranger, Western Norway, and were preceded by two days of festivities. Unlike most royal weddings that attract large public gatherings, this event was marked by its exclusivity. A tent and white sheets obscured views of the couple, as they sold exclusive coverage rights to Hello! Magazine. Additionally, a Netflix documentary crew was present, contributing to local media’s dissatisfaction as they were largely excluded from the event.

Attending the ceremony were Princess Märtha Louise’s parents, King Harald and Queen Sonja, along with other members of Norway’s royal family and royal representatives from Sweden and the Netherlands. Märtha Louise’s three daughters from her previous marriage to the late Norwegian author Ari Behn were also present. Approximately 350 guests were in attendance, though notable American celebrities rumored to be close friends of Mr. Verrett, such as actress Gwyneth Paltrow, were not among them. However, Cynthia Bailey, a reality TV star from “The Real Housewives of Atlanta,” was reported to have attended.

The 52-year-old Norwegian princess and the 49-year-old Californian shaman announced their engagement in 2022. The relationship has been polarizing in Norway, with mixed reactions from the public and critics. King Harald has publicly expressed a positive view of Mr. Verrett, describing him as a “great guy” with whom he shared many laughs. Despite this, the couple’s decision to link their commercial ventures with the princess’s royal status has drawn criticism from the palace and members of Norway’s parliament. In 2022, it was announced that Märtha Louise would relinquish her royal patronage roles to avoid potential misunderstandings about the Royal House of Norway.

Royal correspondent Kristi Marie Skrede from Norway’s NRK TV noted that the couple’s relationship has created a rift within the royal family and sparked public controversy. Many Norwegians are troubled by the perceived commercialization of the princess’s royal status, with some viewing it as a sign of disrespect towards King Harald.

Princess Märtha Louise has faced significant criticism for her untraditional approach to her royal duties, particularly her spiritual practices, which some Norwegians find controversial. In an interview  last year, she described the criticism she has faced due to her spiritual beliefs, noting that in Norway, such practices are often met with skepticism. She has previously claimed to be clairvoyant and ran a school dedicated to teaching students about “creating miracles” and communicating with angels until 2018. Mr. Verrett, who claims to come from a lineage of six generations of shamans, has spoken about his near-death experience, stating that he received profound insights from the “other side” during a four-minute period of clinical death.

Despite the criticism, the couple has garnered admiration from some quarters for their openness about their spiritual beliefs and their commitment to living authentically according to their personal values. Their wedding, while controversial, highlights their determination to stay true to their beliefs despite public and royal scrutiny.