LONDON — The princess of Norway has announced the date of her wedding to American Durek Verrett, a self-proclaimed “shaman” who has sparked controversy in the country with his unconventional beliefs. Verrett has made questionable claims, including dismissing conventional cancer treatments and making predictions about the coronavirus pandemic.
Princess Martha Louise, fourth in line to the throne, made headlines last year when she announced her decision to step back from her royal duties and focus on her alternative medicine work with Verrett. The couple will tie the knot in August 2024 in Norway.
The princess and her American beau shared an Instagram post, featuring a photo of them wearing matching soft pink and white outfits, with the princess resting her arm on Verrett’s shoulder. In a comment, she wrote, “I love you, darling. So happy to walk the path of life with you,” to which Verrett responded on her page, “Love you, darling. You are my everything.”
Martha is the eldest child of Norway’s King Harald V and his only daughter. The throne will be inherited by her younger brother, Crown Prince Haakon, as a result of a constitutional amendment in 1990 that allows the eldest child to succeed to the throne regardless of their gender.
Martha, 51, and Verrett, 48, caused a stir with their engagement announcement in June last year. Verrett’s controversial claims, such as the idea that cancer only affects unhappy people and his alleged prediction of a global “blackout” in early 2020 related to the coronavirus pandemic, have garnered significant attention in Norway. He has also made statements suggesting that women who have multiple sexual partners carry “imprints” that need to be cleansed.
Verrett describes himself as a sixth-generation shaman, a visionary, and a bestselling author on his official website. He also runs online “Shaman School” and “Wokeshops” that help participants tap into their personal power and overcome negative patterns. His teachings have allegedly impacted thousands of people, including public figures like Nina Dobrev and Gwyneth Paltrow.
Upon their engagement, the palace announced that the princess would be reducing her royal duties to focus on her personal business activities. The statement clarified that Verrett would not receive a title or represent the Royal House of Norway, but would still become a part of the royal family, as others have done.
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The palace released a statement congratulating the couple on their wedding plans. King Harald expressed his delight, saying, “We are happy to include Durek Verrett in our family and look forward to celebrating the big day with them. We wish Martha and Durek all the best.”
This decision aligns with other recent instances where modern love has challenged long-standing royal traditions. For example, Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, stepped back from their royal duties in 2020 before moving to the United States. Princess Mako of Japan also faced pressure to relinquish her imperial title to marry her college sweetheart, a commoner named Kei Komuro.
The Norwegian palace has denounced the “racist attitudes” directed towards Verrett, who is Black, stating that they see Norway’s ethnic diversity as a strength within the Royal House.
The princess announced that the wedding will take place on August 31, 2024, at the Union Hotel in Geiranger. She described the location in western Norway as having breathtaking fjords and captivating mountains, symbolizing the country’s rich culture and natural beauty. Traditionally, most royals in Norway marry in Oslo Cathedral.
Martha was previously married to author Ari Behn, with whom she has three daughters. They divorced in 2017, and Behn passed away in 2019.
Reflecting on their relationship, Martha said that Verrett makes her heart skip and sees her for her fullest potential.
Sammy Westfall contributed to this report.
