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Princess Märtha Louise of Norway Marries Shaman Durek Verrett in a Lavish Celebration
The weekend witnessed a star-studded wedding as Princess Märtha Louise, the eldest child of Norway’s King Harald, tied the knot with Durek Verrett, an American who identifies as a shaman. The elaborate ceremony took place in Geiranger, a charming town renowned for its breathtaking fjord views and a popular destination for tourists.
Princess Märtha Louise, aged 52, and Verrett, a self-proclaimed sixth-generation shaman hailing from California, officially exchanged vows after a series of festivities that began on Thursday. The wedding was held in a grand white tent adorned on a verdant lawn, with attendees highlighting performances from both Norwegian and American artists, as well as a gospel choir and a singer representing Norway’s indigenous Sámi community.
“It was fantastic! It was Hollywood meets Geiranger,” remarked Norwegian television personality Harald Rønneberg, sharing his experience of the colorful ceremony with the public broadcaster NRK. “It was gospel and love. We laughed, we clapped, and we were touched. It was absolutely beautiful.”
In an unusual move, the couple has sold the rights to their wedding photographs to the British celebrity magazine Hello! and the film rights to Netflix. This arrangement has sparked protests from certain Norwegian media outlets, who argue that such commercialization contradicts local customs. Märtha Louise and Verrett have previously criticized the press while actively promoting their public persona on social media platforms.
King Harald, who is 87 and in delicate health, attended the wedding alongside Queen Sonja and other members of the Norwegian royal family. Notable guests included Sweden’s Crown Princess Victoria, Prince Daniel, and Prince Carl Philip, along with his wife, Princess Sofia. Remarkably, no other European royals were present at the event.
This marriage comes amid concerns regarding the couple’s controversial actions and increasing scrutiny of the Norwegian monarchy, which has faced challenges, including negative press surrounding a family member currently facing preliminary domestic violence charges.
Despite her royal lineage, Märtha Louise has charted her own path by distancing herself from official royal responsibilities. She was fourth in line for the Norwegian throne until she announced in 2022 that she would no longer serve as a representative of the royal house. The princess has retained her title, however, and claimed to have the ability to communicate with angels, while Verrett asserts that he interacts with various spirits and possesses a medallion that allegedly protects against malevolent forces and illnesses.
After becoming engaged in 2022, the couple’s marriage comes with stipulations: Verrett will not hold a royal title or engage in official duties following their nuptials. Notably, a prior agreement established that Märtha Louise would refrain from commercializing her royal connection. However, she faced criticism earlier this year when she labeled a gin brand with her royal title, launching the product in preparation for the wedding, though the label was ultimately modified after drawing backlash.
Märtha Louise has three children from her previous marriage to author Ari Behn, from whom she divorced in 2017 after 14 years of marriage.
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