The Norwegian royal family is preparing to celebrate an event that continues to spark debate. Princess Märtha Louise, the eldest daughter of King Harald V, is set to marry for the second time with Durek Verrett, an American who defines himself as a "sixth-generation shaman." This wedding, which will take place in an enchanting setting in Geiranger, a village nestled in a fjord on the west coast, is far from unanimous in the kingdom.
Märtha Louise, aged 52, is no stranger to controversies. She presents herself as clairvoyant, capable of communicating with angels. She has monetized this gift through courses and books. On his side, Durek Verrett, 49, is an equally atypical character. He claims to sell medallions with supposed miraculous powers and claims a shamanic lineage. Together, they form a couple that challenges the norms of the Norwegian monarchy, a country known for its sobriety.
Their relationship, made official on Instagram in 2022 with a declaration from the princess, quickly caught the media’s attention. "I am very spiritual, it’s so good to be with someone who supports that," she said after announcing their engagement. However, the nature of their activities and their eccentric beliefs have been poorly received, both within the royal family and among the general public.
The wedding, last Saturday, brought together 380 guests. Among them were royal personalities like Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and her husband Prince Daniel. Durek Verrett does not fail to support that their union is not a first. He claims, in fact, that in a previous life, he was a pharaoh and that Märtha Louise was already his wife. This assertion, like many of his statements, has provoked perplexed reactions in this Scandinavian country attached to reason.
Faced with criticism, Märtha Louise had to give up her official duties in 2022 to preserve the integrity of the monarchy. But that was not enough to ease the tensions. Indeed, the princess has been accused of exploiting her status for commercial gain. Notably by selling a bottle of gin associated with her title. This situation has led some observers, like historian Trond Norén Isaksen, to call for her to be stripped of her princess title.
The American spiritual guide is not left out. His followers include celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow and Antonio Banderas. He has been widely criticized for his controversial statements, notably when he suggested that cancer was a choice or promoted his "Spirit Optimizer" medallion as a remedy against Covid-19, sold at an exorbitant price of 222 dollars. These statements have led to accusations of charlatanism, reinforcing distrust towards him.
Despite everything, King Harald, 87, has chosen to show tolerance, calling this union a "cultural collision." He himself had to fight to marry Sonja, a commoner, and seems to understand the challenges his daughter faces. However, the couple did not escape controversy by reserving an exclusive for their wedding to Hello! magazine and Netflix, much to the dismay of Norwegian media.
Princess Märtha Louise, mother of three daughters from her first marriage to Norwegian writer Ari Behn, is fourth in line to the throne. Although born before her brother Haakon, she can never claim the throne due to the absence of the rule of primogeniture without distinction of sex at the time of their birth. Another recent scandal has tarnished the image of the royal family, with the confessions of the eldest son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit, who admitted to assaulting his girlfriend under the influence of substances.
This wedding, marked by controversies and criticisms, could well redefine the contours of the Norwegian monarchy and raises many questions about the future of Princess Märtha Louise within the royal family. To be continued…