Princess Märtha Marries American Spiritual Guru Durek in Norway

Norway’s Princess Märtha Louise married her partner, American spiritual guru Durek Verrett, in a ceremony on Saturday, held in the scenic town of Geiranger in western Norway. The wedding, which marked the culmination of three days of celebrations, was attended by members of the Norwegian and Swedish royal families, as well as various celebrities and social media influencers.

The marriage ceremony took place in an outdoor tent and was attended by a select group of guests, including Norwegian King Harald and Queen Sonja. Unlike her previous wedding in 2002, which was held at Norway’s largest cathedral and broadcast on television, this ceremony was not televised. The event was also exclusive to media outlets sponsoring the occasion, which has drawn some criticism.

Princess Märtha Louise, 52, is the fourth in line to the Norwegian throne and the daughter of King Harald and Queen Sonja. Her first marriage to Norwegian author Ari Behn ended in divorce in 2017, and they had three children together. Since then, Märtha Louise has stepped away from her official royal duties to focus on her own business ventures. She and Verrett, 49, a self-styled shaman from California, announced their relationship in 2019.

The couple has faced criticism for their commercial ventures linked to the wedding. In June, they promoted a special pink gin branded with their names and a monogram created for the occasion, which Norwegian health authorities deemed inappropriate. The palace and some members of the Norwegian parliament have expressed concerns about the commercialization of Märtha Louise’s royal status.

Märtha Louise’s decision to step back from her royal duties in 2022 was intended to separate her business activities from her royal title. Despite this, the link between her commercial ventures and her royal background has continued to attract controversy. The couple’s wedding, marked by a mix of traditional and modern elements, has been a focal point of media attention, highlighting ongoing debates about the role and visibility of the Norwegian royal family.

Durek Verrett will not be granted a royal title or become part of the core Royal House of Norway. Instead, he will be recognized as part of the extended royal family. The couple is expected to continue their activities independently from the official royal duties and maintain a private life while engaging in their various business and personal interests.