Norwegian Princess Martha Louise Marries American Shaman Durek Verrett
Princess Martha Louise of Norway, aged 52, married American self-proclaimed shaman Durek Verrett, 49, in a ceremony that took place on Saturday. The wedding, held at a hotel in the scenic village of Geiranger on Norway’s west coast, united two alternative therapy enthusiasts and has raised eyebrows in Norway.
Who are Martha Louise and Durek Verrett?
Martha Louise, a divorcee who claims to be clairvoyant and able to speak with angels, has profited from these gifts through books and courses. Durek Verrett, from California, calls himself a “sixth-generation shaman” and sells expensive spiritual items like gold medallions, which he claims have life-saving properties.
The wedding ceremony
The wedding was a private affair under a white tent, with exclusive photo and video rights sold for the event. Martha Louise wore a traditional white dress and a tiara gifted by her grandfather, King Olav, while Verrett wore a black suit with a gold cummerbund. The Norwegian royal family attended in traditional dress, except for King Harald and Crown Prince Haakon, who wore dark suits.
Controversies and criticisms
The couple’s unconventional beliefs and commercial activities have stirred controversy in Norway. Martha Louise relinquished her royal duties in November 2022 but retained her princess title, agreeing not to use it for commercial purposes. However, she has violated this agreement multiple times, including by branding a “wedding gin” with her princess title.
Verrett, who claims he was a pharaoh in a past life and that Martha Louise was his wife, has been criticized for his unscientific beliefs, such as suggesting that cancer is a choice and promoting dubious health products. He has also faced accusations of being a “charlatan and a quack” in the Norwegian press.
Impact on the Norwegian Royal Family
The couple’s actions have contributed to a decline in public support for the Norwegian monarchy, which dropped from 81% in 2017 to 68% in 2024, according to a poll by NRK. This decline is also influenced by a scandal involving Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s son, Marius Borg Hoiby, who admitted to a cocaine- and alcohol-fueled assault on his girlfriend.
Martha Louise has accused the media of conducting a witch hunt against her, while Verrett has claimed that criticism against him is racially motivated. He stated that white people have sent hate and death threats because they do not want to see a black man in the royal family.
King Harald, who once fought to marry Queen Sonja, a commoner, has remained largely silent on the controversies surrounding his future son-in-law but described him as a “great guy and very funny,” acknowledging some cultural differences.