Princess Märtha Louise of Norway has married American self-styled shaman Durek Verrett in an intimate ceremony at a hotel in Geiranger, Western Norway. The private wedding, attended by approximately 350 guests, including members of the Norwegian royal family and European royal dignitaries, took place on Saturday following two days of celebrations.

The ceremony was shrouded in secrecy, with exclusive rights sold to Hello! Magazine, and a documentary crew from Netflix in attendance. This decision sparked controversy, as local media outlets were largely excluded from covering the event.

Princess Märtha Louise’s parents, King Harald and Queen Sonja, attended the wedding, along with her three daughters from her previous marriage. Notably, Durek Verrett’s purported A-list American friends were absent, except for reality TV star Cynthia Bailey.

The couple’s relationship has been a subject of controversy in Norway, with critics accusing Princess Märtha Louise of leveraging her royal status for commercial gain. In 2022, the Norwegian palace announced that she would relinquish her patronage role to distinguish between her activities and the Royal House of Norway.

Royal correspondent Kristi Marie Skrede noted that the relationship has caused a conflict within the royal family and public controversy, with some Norwegians perceiving it as a sign of disrespect to King Harald. However, others admire the couple’s openness about their spiritual beliefs, with Princess Märtha Louise claiming to be clairvoyant and Mr. Verrett stating he is a sixth-generation shaman.

The couple’s wedding marks a new chapter in their lives, amidst ongoing public scrutiny and debate about their unconventional relationship and spiritual practices.