Princess Märtha Louise of Norway exchanged vows with American shaman Durek Verrett on August 31st in a stunning ceremony held in the picturesque town of Gaustad, Norway. The wedding was a grand affair, attended by 350 guests including King Harald V and Queen Sonja, Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit, and the couple’s children Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus.
The wedding festivities kicked off on August 29th with a “sexy & cool” garden party at Hotel 1904 in the coastal city of Ålesund. The following day, guests embarked on a boat trip along the stunning West Norwegian Fjords, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The evening before the wedding, a “Latin American themed pre-wedding party” was held at the Gaustad Union Hotel, adding a vibrant touch to the celebrations.
The couple, who met through mutual friends in 2018, announced their engagement in June 2022. However, their relationship sparked controversy within Norway, with critics questioning the couple’s use of their royal connections for promoting alternative medicine and commercial activities. As a result, Princess Märtha Louise stepped back from royal duties in November 2022.
While the Princess remains a member of the Royal Family and retains her title, Verrett will not receive a title or represent the Norwegian Royal Family. Despite the controversy, the couple is expected to participate in family events and royal traditions as a married couple. The wedding, a blend of traditional Norwegian splendor and contemporary unconventionality, marked a significant chapter in the lives of the couple and brought the spotlight back onto the Norwegian Royal Family.
