Princess Märtha Louise of Norway married her American partner, Durek Verrett, recognized as a self-professed shaman, on August 31, 2024. The wedding took place in the picturesque location of Geirangerfjord.
The pair pledged their vows before an audience of 350 people. The Norwegian Princess wore a gown by designer Tina Steffenakk Hermansen and completed her look with King Olav’s Gift Tiara. Following the ceremony, Märtha Louise voiced, “Our love has overcome all challenges and will endure forever.”
Various controversies surrounding the couple have, however, cast shadows over their nuptial event.
Rather than being a joyous celebration, the wedding was influenced by numerous dramatic developments associated with the couple and their families.
The 52-year-old princess, the daughter of King Harald V and Queen Sonja, has always drawn attention due to her spiritual beliefs and unconventional way of life. Her relationship with the 49-year-old Verrett, known for his unique beliefs and unverified assertions, such as the contentious idea that unhappiness leads to childhood cancer, has been a focal point for the media. This led to Märtha Louise stepping down from her official royal duties in 2022, illustrating the immense public pressure and the challenges she encountered in balancing her personal and royal life.
Additional family conflicts, specifically with Verrett’s estranged mother, Veruschka Urquhart, have further complicated the couple’s situation. Verrett’s relationship with his mother has been tense for years, and it recently escalated when Urquhart publicly accused her son of manipulating Märtha Louise and fabricating stories about their family’s wealth. Märtha Louise and Verrett responded by issuing a cease-and-desist letter, threatening legal action if Urquhart did not retract her accusations. The letter, which also mentioned Märtha Louise’s royal title, sparked further controversy and criticism, with many questioning the princess’s continued use of her title for business and legal affairs.
This family dispute represents one of the many issues the Norwegian royal family has had to address recently. The son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit, Marius Borg Høiby, was recently involved in a serious incident in downtown Oslo, Norway, resulting in preliminary charges of bodily harm and criminal damage. He was briefly detained by the police. This situation received substantial media attention in Norway, where the royal family is highly respected, and added to the strain surrounding Märtha Louise’s wedding.
Princess Mette-Marit postponed her planned trip to the Paris Olympics following the incident involving her son. Crown Prince Haakon, Mette-Marit’s husband and Marius’s stepfather, traveled to Paris alone, acknowledging the seriousness of the situation but refraining from providing further details. Although the royal couple’s reaction was measured, the incident added to the stress within the family.
Despite these complications, Märtha Louise and Verrett proceeded with their wedding plans. The couple selected the Union Hotel in Geirangerfjord, Norway, for their wedding venue, an area renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty and recognized on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Märtha Louise underscored the importance of the location and its connection to Norway’s rich cultural heritage. “We’re so happy to be celebrating our love in the beautiful surroundings of Geiranger,” she shared on Instagram. “It means a lot to us to gather our loved ones in a place that is so rich in history and intense nature.
The wedding represented not only a personal milestone for Märtha Louise and Verrett but also a significant event for the Norwegian royal family. However, the ongoing controversies led to renewed calls for King Harald to remove his daughter’s princess title. Critics argue that Märtha Louise’s continued use of her title, particularly in business and legal dealings, undermines the dignity of the monarchy. The debate over her title has been ongoing since she stepped down from her royal duties.
Märtha Louise has openly discussed the difficulties she has faced due to her relationship with Verrett. She has mentioned the severe criticism she has received, not just for her personal beliefs but also for her choice of partner.
Verrett has also been open about the challenges they face as an interracial couple. He has revealed that they have received death threats and faced substantial backlash from those who disapprove of their relationship. Despite the obstacles, Verrett remains committed to Märtha Louise, asserting that he is willing to “go through the fire” with her. He has also defended his spiritual practices and beliefs, contending that they are misunderstood and unjustly criticized by the media and the public.
Both the couple and the Norwegian royal family are likely to remain under public and media scrutiny as they navigate these challenges and support Märtha Louise in her decision to marry Verrett.