Princess Martha Louise of Norway will marry Hollywood spiritual guru Durek Verrett in a private ceremony in Geiranger, a stunning location recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The pair, who announced their engagement in June 2022, will exchange vows after a scenic boat trip along the fjord.
The celebration began with a meet and greet at a historic hotel in Alesund, attended by hundreds, including Swedish royalty and American celebrities. Martha Louise, 52, daughter of King Harald V and a former competitive equestrian, has found love with Mr. Verrett, 49, who has made headlines with his unconventional spiritual claims.
In a 2020 Vanity Fair interview, Verrett recounted a near-death experience at age 28, claiming to have died and “risen from the dead” after suffering organ failures and seizures. He described a vivid journey back to his “mother’s womb,” reliving his life’s moments, which culminated in a two-month coma and an eight-year recovery aided by a kidney transplant from his sister.
Verrett, known in Hollywood for his spiritual advisories, holds beliefs that have sparked debate in Norway, where royal traditions are typically conservative. He has suggested controversial views on health and spirituality and markets medallions that he claims helped him recover from COVID-19, attracting scepticism and criticism from some Norwegian commentators.
Despite controversies, Princess Martha Louise supports her fiancé, praising him publicly and sharing their connection with the world via Instagram in 2019. She defended her relationship amidst criticism, emphasizing her affection for Verrett.
Following their engagement, Louise stepped down from her royal duties to focus on a career in holistic healing and spirituality with Verrett. However, she retains her royal title without using it for commercial purposes. Previously married to writer Ari Behn, who tragically passed away in 2019, Martha Louise is a mother of three and has been an advocate for alternative therapies and claims clairvoyant abilities, leading to mixed public reactions.
