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5 Shocking Facts About Princess Märtha Louise: The Royal Who Married A Shaman And Gave Up Her Title

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As of December 2025, Princess Märtha Louise of Norway remains one of the most discussed and unconventional figures in European royalty, primarily following her highly publicized and controversial wedding to American spiritual guide Durek Verrett in August 2024. This union, celebrated in the picturesque Norwegian village of Geiranger, marked the culmination of a relationship that has tested the boundaries of the Norwegian Royal House and led the Princess to make unprecedented personal and professional sacrifices. The story of Princess Märtha Louise is one of a royal who chose a path of spiritual exploration and personal freedom over traditional duty, a decision formally cemented in 2022 when she stepped away from her official role. Her marriage to Durek Verrett, a self-proclaimed third-generation Shaman whose practices and claims have drawn international scrutiny and skepticism, is the latest and most dramatic chapter in her life, solidifying her status as the "Rebel Royal."

Princess Märtha Louise: A Complete Royal Profile

Princess Märtha Louise is the eldest child of King Harald V and Queen Sonja, yet her life has consistently deviated from the traditional royal script. Her decision to pursue a career as a clairvoyant and "angel whisperer" long ago set her apart, a path that has only intensified with her recent marriage and business ventures.
  • Full Name: Märtha Louise (Her Highness Princess Märtha Louise of Norway)
  • Born: September 22, 1971, at Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
  • Parents: His Majesty King Harald V and Her Majesty Queen Sonja
  • Sibling: His Royal Highness Crown Prince Haakon (younger brother)
  • Line of Succession: Fourth in line to the Norwegian throne (after her brother and his two children)
  • First Marriage (Former Husband): Ari Behn (Author, married 2002, divorced 2017, died 2019)
  • Children: Maud Angelica Behn (b. 2003), Leah Isadora Behn (b. 2005), and Emma Tallulah Behn (b. 2008)
  • Second Marriage (Current Husband): Durek Verrett (Shaman/Alternative Therapist, married August 31, 2024)
  • Royal Status: Retained the title 'Princess Märtha Louise' but relinquished official royal duties in November 2022 and does not use the 'Her Royal Highness' honorific in her commercial work.

The Royal Wedding That Shook Norway: Details of the 2024 Ceremony

The August 31, 2024, wedding of Princess Märtha Louise and Durek Verrett in Geiranger, Norway, was arguably the most anticipated and controversial royal event of the year. It was a celebration that blended traditional royal elegance with the couple's unconventional spiritual beliefs, drawing a mix of global media attention and domestic criticism. The ceremony took place at the historic Hotel Union in Geiranger, a location renowned for its dramatic fjord scenery, making the event a visual spectacle. The guest list for the celebration was extensive, with approximately 350 attendees, including key members of the Norwegian Royal Family. Her parents, King Harald V and Queen Sonja, and her brother, Crown Prince Haakon, were all present, signaling the family's public support despite the controversies surrounding the union. The nuptials were a significant moment for the family, marking the Princess’s second marriage and Durek Verrett's official entry into the royal sphere, though without a royal title of his own. The couple's journey to the altar was even documented in the Netflix documentary, 'Rebel Royals: An Unlikely Love Story,' giving the public an intimate, if curated, look into their relationship and the pressures they faced. One of the most touching elements of the event was the visible role of the Princess’s three daughters—Maud Angelica, Leah Isadora, and Emma Tallulah Behn—who have been vocal supporters of their mother and Durek Verrett. Their presence underscored the family’s unity in the face of intense public scrutiny following the tragic death of their father, Ari Behn, in 2019.

The Controversial Path: Shaman Durek, Royal Duties, and the Title Debate

The relationship between Princess Märtha Louise and Durek Verrett has been a catalyst for significant change within the Norwegian monarchy, forcing the Princess to redefine her role and responsibilities. The core of the controversy stems from Durek Verrett's professional claims and the couple's joint business ventures.

The Role of Shaman Durek Verrett

Durek Verrett is an American alternative therapist and self-professed "third-generation Shaman". His work and public statements have been highly contentious, particularly in Norway. Critics, including some in the Norwegian media, have labeled him a "con" and a "scam artist" due to various controversial claims, such as his suggestion that cancer is a choice or his promotion of unusual healing methods. These controversies led to a public backlash, with critics arguing that the Princess was using her royal title to endorse questionable and potentially harmful spiritual practices. The scrutiny intensified after she co-authored a book with Verrett, further blurring the lines between her private beliefs and her public royal status.

Relinquishing Official Royal Duties

In November 2022, following extensive discussions with her family, Princess Märtha Louise made the formal decision to step away from her official duties as a working member of the Royal House. This was a proactive move by King Harald V to safeguard the reputation of the Norwegian monarchy. The key points of this agreement are:
  • Title Retention: She retains the title 'Princess Märtha Louise'.
  • Commercial Use Restriction: She agreed not to use her Princess title or the 'Her Royal Highness' honorific in any of her commercial endeavors, including those with Durek Verrett.
  • Continued Family Role: She remains a member of the Royal Family and represents the Royal House in a private capacity, such as attending family gatherings and private events.
This change allowed her to pursue her personal interests and business ventures more freely while minimizing the perceived association between the Crown and Durek Verrett's controversial practices. The situation remains a delicate balancing act for the Norwegian monarchy, which values its modern, egalitarian image.

The Future for the Princess and the Shaman

The wedding in 2024 has closed one chapter of intense media speculation and opened another. Princess Märtha Louise is now officially married to Durek Verrett and fully focused on her life outside the formal constraints of the Royal House. Her journey is a unique case study in modern royalty—a saga of personal choice, spiritual conviction, and the difficult compromises required when a royal chooses a life less ordinary. The couple continues to live a transatlantic life, balancing their business interests in the United States with their family life in Norway. While the controversy may have subsided slightly since their wedding, the Princess remains a figure of fascination, constantly navigating the expectations of a royal title with the demands of her unconventional, self-made career. Her legacy will be defined by her courage to choose love and freedom, even at the cost of traditional royal life.
princess martha of norway
princess martha of norway

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