Norway's Princess Märtha Louise weds American shaman

Princess Märtha Louise of Norway has recently tied the knot with Durek Verrett, an American who identifies as a shaman. This wedding has sparked a lot of discussions and differing opinions across Norway. The couple exchanged vows in a private ceremony held at a hotel in Geiranger, located in Western Norway, on a Saturday. Their wedding festivities lasted for two days, filled with celebrations. Unlike many royal weddings that attract large crowds of onlookers, this event was quite different. Only a small number of people were present to witness the couple's special moment. To maintain privacy, they set up a tent and white sheets around the venue, which made it difficult for anyone to catch a glimpse of the couple. They had sold the exclusive rights to cover the wedding to Hello! Magazine, and a documentary crew from Netflix was also present, which stirred some controversy as local media were largely excluded from the event. On the day of the wedding, Princess Märtha Louise and Durek Verrett were seen wearing matching pink outfits as they greeted their guests at a Meet & Greet party at Hotel 1904 in Alesund, prior to the wedding celebration. The princess's parents, King Harald and Queen Sonja, were in attendance, along with other members of Norway's royal family and several princes and princesses from Sweden and the Netherlands. Märtha Louise's three daughters from her previous marriage to the late Norwegian writer Ari Behn were also present at the ceremony. Approximately 350 guests attended the wedding, but it was noted that Durek's well-known American friends were not among them. Durek is known to be friends with actress Gwyneth Paltrow, whom he refers to as his 'soul sister. ' However, reality TV star Cynthia Bailey from the Real Housewives of Atlanta was reported to have attended the wedding. The couple announced their engagement in 2022, and since then, their relationship has been a topic of much debate in Norway. While King Harald has expressed his fondness for Durek, calling him 'a great guy' and mentioning that they share many laughs, the royal family has faced criticism regarding Durek's connection to the princess. In 2022, the Norwegian palace declared that Märtha Louise would step back from her royal patronage roles to create a clearer distinction between her activities and those of the Royal House of Norway. This decision was made to avoid any misunderstandings about the royal family's involvement in their commercial endeavors. Some members of the Norwegian parliament and the public have criticized the couple for seemingly using the princess's royal status to promote their business ventures. Kristi Marie Skrede, a royal correspondent for Norway's NRK TV, noted that their relationship has caused tension within the royal family and public controversy. Many Norwegians feel uneasy about the princess using her royal connections for financial gain, viewing it as a potential sign of disrespect towards King Harald. In a previous interview, Märtha Louise shared her feelings about the challenges she has faced in choosing a path that diverges from traditional royal expectations. She mentioned that her spiritual beliefs have drawn a lot of criticism, especially since spirituality is often viewed as taboo in Norway. Despite the backlash, some people admire the couple for their openness and honesty regarding their beliefs. Märtha Louise has claimed to possess clairvoyant abilities and previously ran a school where she taught students how to 'create miracles' and communicate with angels. Durek, on the other hand, has stated that he comes from a long line of shamans and has shared a remarkable story about having died for a brief period, during which he claims to have received insights from the other side. The couple appears to be content in their relationship, embracing their love and spiritual beliefs despite the challenges they face.