Norwegian princess marries self-proclaimed American shaman in star-studded ceremony

Guests included social media influencers, reality stars and TV personalities, including the Norwegian king’s eldest child, Princess Martha Louisemarried an American self-proclaimed shaman in a wedding ceremony on Saturday after three days of festivities.

Märtha Louise, 52, and Durek Verrett, who claims to be a sixth-generation shaman from California, were married in the picturesque town of Geiranger, one of Norway’s biggest tourist attractions, situated on a fjord with stunning views.

After the festivities began on Thursday, the actual wedding ceremony took place in a large white tent set up on a lush lawn. Guests told media that Norwegian and American artists performed at the event, along with 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 described the colorful ceremony to public broadcaster NRK. “It was gospel and love. We laughed, we clapped, we were moved. It was absolutely beautiful.”

The couple have sold the rights to the wedding photo to British celebrity magazine Hello! and the film rights to Netflix. The deals have prompted protests from Norwegian media, who say the arrangement violates local customs. The couple have often turned against the press and promoted themselves on social media.

King Harald, 87, who has been in frail health in recent years, attended his daughter’s wedding with Queen Sonja and other members of the Norwegian royal family. 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. No other European royals attended the wedding.

The wedding comes against a backdrop of widespread criticism of the couple’s behaviour and waning support for the Norwegian royal family, which has also been dogged by negative reports about an unruly family member being accused of domestic abuse.

Märtha Louise and Verrett, 49, have made headlines with their alternative beliefs. She is fourth in line to the Norwegian throne, but said in 2022 that she will no longer officially represent the Norwegian royal family.

The princess – she has retained the title – has said she can speak to angels, while Verrett claims to communicate with a wide range of spirits and has a locket that helps ward off spells and cure illness.

They became engaged in 2022. After their wedding, Verrett will have no royal title or official duties.

In a 2019 agreement, Märtha Louise and Verrett agreed not to use her connection to the royal family and her title for commercial purposes.

But earlier this year, Märtha Louise branded bottles of gin with her title and launched the brand in time for the wedding, ignoring King Harald’s directive that she could not profit from her royal status. The label was eventually changed.

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.