Rex/ShutterstockNorwegian Princess Märtha Louise marries Durek Verrett, an American self-proclaimed shaman, in a wedding that sparks division in Norway.
The couple married in a private ceremony at a hotel in Geiranger, western Norway, on Saturday after two days of celebrations.
Unlike other royal weddings where the public gathers in the streets, only a handful of people are on hand to watch – either before or during the wedding, with views of the happy couple blocked by tents or white sheets after they sell the exclusive rights to “Hello!” . Magazine.
Netflix’s documentary photography team followed suit. The presence of two major media companies has caused some controversy, with local media largely left out.
The wedding was attended by the princess’s parents, King Harald and Queen Sonia, as well as other members of the Norwegian royal family and the princes and princesses of Sweden and the Netherlands.
Princess Martha Louise’s three daughters from her first marriage to the late Norwegian writer Ari Behn also attended the ceremony.
About 350 guests attended Saturday’s party, but there was no evidence that Verrett’s alleged A-list friends were among them.
The 49-year-old Californian counts actress and wellness entrepreneur Gwyneth Paltrow as a friend, with Mr. Verrett calling her his “soul sister.”
But The Real Housewives of Atlanta reality star Cynthia Bailey was also reportedly in attendance.
Reuters
Reuters
ReutersPrincess Martha Louise, 52, and Mr Verrett, who will not become a prince after the wedding, announced their engagement in 2022. was “a great man” and the pair “had a lot of laughs even during this difficult time.”
In 2022, the Norwegian royal family announced that Martha Louise would “give up her role as patron” as she and Mr. Verrett sought to “clearly distinguish their activities from the Norwegian royal family” and “prevent misunderstandings about the royal family.”
The pair have since been criticized by the palace and members of Norway’s parliament for linking business activities to the princess’s royal status.
Kristi Marie Skrede, royal correspondent for Norway’s NRK TV station, said their relationship sparked conflict within the royal family as well as public controversy.
“Many Norwegians are upset that she is using her royal connections to make money,” Ms Skreed said, adding that some saw it as a sign of “disrespect” to King Harald.
ReutersLast year, Märtha Louise caused a lot of “confusion” when she told the BBC’s Katty Kay that she decided to take a different path than a “traditional royal”.
“Over the years, there has been a lot of criticism, especially about my spiritual pursuits – which is taboo in Norway,” she said.
But Ms. Scrider said others admired the couple’s honesty. In particular, both men have been open about their spiritual beliefs.
Princess Martha Louise has claimed to be clairvoyant in the past and, as recently as 2018, she ran a school that she said taught students to “work miracles” and talk to angels. Mr Verrett has said he was the latest of six generations of shamans and has said the time of his death was four minutes and 25 seconds.
“I got all the information from the other side. I’m back,” he told The New York Times.
