Norwegian Princess Marries Self-Styled Shaman in Star-Studded Ceremony

Social media influencers, reality stars, and TV personalities gathered as Princess Märtha Louise of Norway married American self-professed shaman Durek Verrett on Saturday, marking the culmination of three days of festivities. The ceremony took place in Geiranger, a picturesque small town and major tourist attraction situated by a fjord with stunning views.

The 52-year-old princess and the 49-year-old Verrett, who claims to be a sixth-generation shaman from California, exchanged vows under a large white tent on a lush lawn. The celebrations commenced on Thursday, leading up to the wedding that featured performances from Norwegian and U.S. artists, a gospel choir, and a singer representing Norway’s indigenous Sámi people.

“It was fantastic! It was Hollywood meets Geiranger,” Norwegian TV personality Harald Rønneberg told NRK, describing the ceremony. “It was gospel and love. We laughed, we clapped, and we were touched. It was absolutely beautiful.”

The couple secured exclusive photo rights with British celebrity magazine Hello! and film rights with Netflix, sparking protests from Norwegian media who argue that such deals contradict local norms. Märtha Louise and Verrett have frequently criticized the press while promoting themselves on social media.

The 87-year-old King Harald, who has faced health issues in recent years, attended his daughter’s wedding along with Queen Sonja and other members of the Norwegian royal family. Notably absent were other European royals, although Crown Princess Victoria and her husband Prince Daniel represented the Swedish royal family, along with her brother, Prince Carl Philip, and his wife Princess Sofia.

The wedding occurred amid criticism of the couple’s actions and dwindling support for the Norwegian royals, who have also contended with negative reports about a family member facing preliminary domestic violence charges.

Märtha Louise, fourth in line to the Norwegian throne, has drawn attention for her unconventional beliefs. In 2022, she announced she would no longer officially represent the Norwegian royal house. Retaining her title, Märtha Louise claims to communicate with angels, while Verrett believes he can speak with various spirits and uses a medallion to ward off spells and cure diseases.

Since their engagement in 2022, Märtha Louise and Verrett have agreed that Verrett will not hold a royal title or perform official duties. The couple also pledged in 2019 not to leverage her royal connections for commercial gain. Nonetheless, Märtha Louise labeled and launched a brand of gin to coincide with the wedding, initially using her title in defiance of a directive from King Harald. The label was subsequently altered.

Märtha Louise has three children from her previous marriage to author and playwright Ari Behn, whom she divorced in 2017 after 14 years of marriage. The children were present during the wedding celebrations.

The couple’s unique and often controversial lifestyles continue to evoke mixed feelings among the public and the media, reinforcing the complex relationship between traditional royal expectations and modern individuality.

Source: CBS News, NRK, AFP via Getty Images