Norwegians share blended views forward of Princess Martha Louise’s marriage ceremony
Princess Martha Louise of Norway and Shaman Durek Verrett were met with a mixed reception from locals as the two arrived in a costal town ahead of their wedding today.
Princess Martha Louise and husband-to-be arrived to sceptical locals today in the picturesque town of Geirganger, as the couple kicked off on day three of their nuptial celebrations.
A halibut fisherman accused the 49-year-old American of ‘exploiting’ the Norwegian royal family and a carpenter condemned the 52-year-old princess for being ‘as crazy as her shaman’.
However, not everyone was as negative, as one handyman welcomed today’s ceremony while a café waitress claimed that the royal wedding had put the local area on the map.
King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway were the guests of honour at the pre-wedding drinks reception at Hotel 1904 in Ålesund on the country’s west coast on Thursday, ahead of the marriage ceremony in the spectacular Fjord-side village of Geirganger later today.
Princess Martha Louise and husband-to-be Shaman Durek Verrett were met with a mixed reception from locals as the two arrived in a costal town ahead of their wedding today (the pair pictured yesterday)
Princess Martha Louise (pictured with Shaman Durek Verrett yesterday) is controversial with some Norwegians due to some of her spiritual views
But the arrival of the royal party was met with mixed feelings by members of this historic fishing community.
Halibut fisherman Roger Mør, 60 told MailOnline: ‘I’m not happy about the marriage of Princess Martha Louise to his American man, Durek.
‘I think he is exploiting her and the royal family.’
Carpenter Torkil Wullf, 34, said: ‘Princess Martha Louise also a fantasist.
‘It is well-known that she claims to be able to talk to angels. I think is just as crazy as her shaman Durek.
‘Most Norwegian people think this is whole marriage is a disgrace.
‘The rest of the royal family are much more thoughtful about their actions.’
Meanwhile, handyman Jon Juliebør, 46, wished the unlikely couple well.
Shortly after buying fresh fish at the Ålesund quayside, he told MailOnline: ‘I think it’s good from them.
The princess teamed a leather skirt and jacket with a chic magenta blouse, while her husband-to-be wore a distressed brown jumper with matching trousers and sunglasses during a pre-wedding cruise yesterday
Princess Martha Louise of Norway and Shaman Durek Verrett (seen yesterday) will tie the knot today after getting engaged in 2022
Yesterday, family and friends enjoyed a luxurious boat ride along the GeirangerFjord to Geiranger village, taking in the scenic views
‘Princess Martha Louise has always been eccentric. She is the oldest child of King Harald but she was never going to become the monarch because she was a girl.
‘Her brother, Prince Haakon, will become king, even though he is younger than her, so I think that has affected her.’
Café waitress Øyvar Melsaeter, 18, saw the positives in the couple’s marriage.
She claimed the wedding party – which had taken sight-seeing tour along the Geirangerfjord from Ålesund – had put this remote coastal town on the map.
She said: ‘I think it’s great that the princess came to Ålesund and is getting married in Geirganer village. The wedding has really put us on the map.
‘I don’t know too much about her shaman Durek, but I hope they will be happy together.
‘It’s all very exciting for people who live around here.’
