The upcoming nuptials between Princess Märtha Louise of Norway and her American fiancé, Durek Verrett, a self-proclaimed shaman, are set for August 31, 2024. The wedding, to be held at the scenic Geirangerfjord, has been overshadowed by a number of controversies.
Princess Märtha Louise, 52, and Verrett, 49, are at the center of a series of dramatic events involving them and their families. Princess Märtha Louise, the daughter of King Harald V and Queen Sonja, is known for her spiritual beliefs and unconventional lifestyle, which have been further highlighted by her relationship with Verrett. Verrett’s controversial views, including a claim linking childhood cancer to unhappiness, have put him in the media spotlight. As a result, Princess Märtha Louise stepped down from her royal duties in 2022.
Further complicating matters, Verrett’s estranged mother, Veruschka Urquhart, accused her son of manipulating Princess Märtha Louise and making false claims about their family’s wealth. The couple responded with a cease-and-desist letter, threatening legal action if Urquhart did not withdraw her statements. The letter, which used Princess Märtha Louise’s royal title, sparked more controversy.
Adding to the family’s challenges, Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s son, Marius Borg Høiby, faced preliminary charges of bodily harm and criminal damage after an incident in downtown Oslo. This has resulted in increased media attention and added to the stress surrounding the upcoming wedding.
In light of her son’s legal troubles, Princess Mette-Marit postponed her planned trip to the Paris Olympics. Her husband, Crown Prince Haakon, Marious’ stepfather, attended the event alone, acknowledging the seriousness of the situation but not divulging further details.
Despite these issues, Princess Märtha Louise and Verrett are moving forward with their wedding preparations. Their chosen venue is the Union Hotel in Geirangerfjord, Norway, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its stunning natural beauty. “We’re so happy to be celebrating our love in the beautiful surroundings of Geiranger,” Princess Märtha Louise shared on Instagram.
However, the impending wedding and the controversies surrounding it have led to calls for King Harald to revoke his daughter’s princess title. Critics argue that Princess Märtha Louise’s use of her title in commercial and legal matters tarnishes the monarchy’s image.
Princess Märtha Louise has publicly spoken about the criticism she has faced due to her relationship with Verrett. Verrett has also spoken out about the challenges they have encountered as an interracial couple, including receiving death threats. He remains committed to Princess Märtha Louise and has defended his spiritual beliefs against criticism.
As they approach their wedding date, they are likely to continue to face public scrutiny. The Norwegian royal family will also be in the spotlight as they navigate these challenges and support Princess Märtha Louise’s decision to marry Verrett.
Whether the wedding will put an end to the controversies or add to them remains to be seen. In the meantime, all eyes are on Geirangerfjord, where the couple will soon say their vows amidst natural beauty and ongoing controversy.