(via @l_numberz/TT)
Princess Märtha Louise of Norway, born September 22, 1971, is the eldest child of King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway. Although she holds the title of princess, she does not perform official royal duties. Märtha Louise is known for her interest in alternative therapies and spiritualism; she co-founded a center called Astarte Education, later renamed Soulspring, focusing on self-help and personal development. She has three daughters with her ex-husband Ari Behn. In 2019, she began a relationship with American spiritual guru Durek Verrett. For more detailed information, you can check out her official biography on the Royal House of Norway’s website.
Princess Martha Louise of Norway has tied the knot with American self-proclaimed shaman Durek Verrett in a wedding that has stirred controversy in the traditionally conservative Scandinavian country. The 52-year-old princess, who claims to possess clairvoyant abilities and communicate with angels, married Verrett, a 49-year-old Californian who identifies as a “sixth-generation shaman” and sells high-priced medallions he claims can save lives.
Norway Princess Martha Louise Marries US Spiritual Guru Durek Verrett https://t.co/Wf9PSEVXuB
— Zira Daily (@ziradaily) August 31, 2024
The couple exchanged vows on Saturday in Geiranger, a scenic village on Norway’s west coast. The ceremony, held under a white tent to ensure privacy, had its photo and video rights exclusively sold. Princess Martha Louise wore a white wedding dress and a tiara gifted to her by her grandfather, King Olav. Verrett opted for a black suit with a gold cummerbund. The royal family, including 87-year-old King Harald and Crown Prince Haakon, attended the wedding dressed in traditional Norwegian bunads, except for the king and crown prince, who wore dark suits.
This union has sparked controversy in Norway, a country not accustomed to the unconventional ways of its royal family members. To avoid any confusion regarding her official duties, Princess Martha Louise relinquished her royal duties in November 2022 but retained her title, with the agreement not to use it for commercial purposes. However, she has since violated this agreement, most recently with the release of a “wedding gin” labeled with her princess title, which drew criticism from both the public and royal observers.
Verrett, who claims to have been a pharaoh in a past life with Martha Louise as his wife, has faced considerable backlash for his unconventional beliefs and use of royal connections for profit. The couple’s commercial ventures, such as deals with Hello! magazine and Netflix for exclusive wedding coverage, have further fueled public discontent. This has contributed to a decline in support for the Norwegian monarchy, with public approval dropping from 81 percent in 2017 to 68 percent recently.
Norway Princess Martha Louise Marries US Spiritual Guru Durek Verrett https://t.co/Wf9PSEVXuB
— Zira Daily (@ziradaily) August 31, 2024
The couple has been criticized for exploiting their royal connections, and Verrett, in particular, has faced accusations of being a charlatan. His controversial claims, including suggesting that cancer is a choice and promoting dubious health practices, have sparked outrage. Verrett, however, has responded to criticism by claiming that much of it stems from racism, stating that many people oppose seeing a Black man in the Norwegian royal family.
While King Harald has remained largely silent on his new son-in-law, he has acknowledged that there is a “culture clash” but describes Verrett as “a great guy and very funny.” The king has taken a diplomatic stance, emphasizing that he and Verrett have “agreed to disagree” on certain issues.
Key Points:
i. Princess Martha Louise of Norway married American shaman Durek Verrett, a union that has sparked controversy in Norway.
ii. The wedding was held in Geiranger with exclusive rights sold for photo and video coverage.
iii. The couple has faced criticism for using royal connections for commercial gain and promoting unconventional beliefs.
iv. Public support for the Norwegian monarchy has declined, partly due to Martha Louise and Verrett’s actions.
v. Verrett has claimed that much of the criticism against him is rooted in racism, while King Harald has taken a neutral stance on his new son-in-law.
Al Santana – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News