Princess Martha Louise and Shaman Durek share a kiss as they wed
Princess Martha Louise of Norway and her US groom Shaman Durek delighted crowds lining the streets by sharing a kiss as the wed after three days of festivities.
Social media influencers, reality stars and TV personalities were among the guests as the Norwegian king’s eldest child married an the American self-professed shaman on Saturday.
Martha Louise, 52, and Durek Verrett, 49, who claims to be a sixth-generation shaman from California, tied the knot in the picturesque small town of Geiranger, one of Norway’s major tourist attractions located on a fjord with stunning views.
The newly weds made an impromptu walk-about to say thanks to the few dozen well-wishers who had come to the tiny fjord-side village to lay their respects.
The couple stepped out of the Union Hotel in Geiranger shortly after 6.30pm local time to a rousing applause from the crowd.
Princess Martha Louise of Norway and her US groom Shaman Durek delighted crowds lining the streets by sharing a kiss as the wed after three days of festivities
The happy couple hold hands as they walk the red carpet in front of press and crowds of fans
Showing off their wedding bands and intricate detailing on both of their outfits
Waving to the press and people who came to line the streets to see them as they wed
Following festivities that started on Thursday, the actual wedding ceremony took place in a large white tent set up on a lush lawn
The bride and groom pictured during their wedding inside the tent
Families with young children, elderly residents and young couples had waited for hours for a glimpse of the princess and her new husband.
The newlyweds beamed with pride as they waved to the crowd, before going back into the hotel for the wedding breakfast – and for party set to go into the early hours of the morning.
Following festivities that started on Thursday, the actual wedding ceremony took place in a large white tent set up on a lush lawn.
Guests told media outlets that Norwegian and U.S. artists performed at the event along with a gospel choir and a singer representing Norway’s indigenous Sami people.
Norwegian TV personality Harald Ronneberg told public broadcaster NRK: ‘It was fantastic! It was Hollywood meets Geiranger. It was gospel and love. We laughed, we clapped, and we were touched. It was absolutely beautiful.’
The couple has sold the wedding photo rights to British celebrity magazine Hello! and the film rights to Netflix. The deals prompted protests from Norwegian media, which say the arrangement goes against local practices. The couple have often lashed out against the press while promoting themselves on social media.
The 87-year-old King Harald, who has been in fragile health the past few years, attended his daughter’s wedding together with Queen Sonja and other member of the Norwegian royal house. Crown Princess Victoria and her husband Prince Daniel represented the Swedish royal house together with her brother, Prince Carl Philip, and his wife Princess Sofia. No other European royals attended the wedding.
The wedding comes amid widespread criticism of the couple’s actions and waning support for the Norwegian royals, who have also been plagued by negative reports about an unruly family member who faces preliminary domestic violence charges.
Princess Martha and husband Durek greeted people from a balcony
The pair shared a kiss in front of press and onlookers after the ceremony
They tied the knot in the picturesque small town of Geiranger, one of Norway’s major tourist attractions located on a fjord with stunning views
Princess Martha looks stunning in her tiara and veil as she waves to the crowds
Close family and bridesmaids enter Hotel Union in Geiranger
Guests exit the Vinje and follow the red carpet to Hotel Union
More guests walking the red carpet and taking selfies with the beautiful backdrop
Wedding attendees donning glamorous gowns as they strut down the red carpet
Guest in traditional clothing attend Princess Martha and Durek’s wedding
Martha Louise and Verrett have attracted headlines with their alternative beliefs. She is fourth in line to the Norwegian throne but said in 2022 that she’ll no longer officially represent the Norwegian royal house.
The princess – she has retained the title – has said she can talk with angels, while Verrett claims that he communicates with a broad range of spirits and has a medallion which helps ward off spells and cure diseases.
They became engaged in 2022. Following their marriage, Verrett will not have a royal title or official duties.
In a 2019 deal, Martha Louise and Verrett agreed not to use her connection to the royal house or her title for commercial purposes.
But earlier this year Martha Louise labeled bottles of gin with her title and launched the brand in time for the wedding, defying King Harald’s directive that she should not profit from her royal status. The label was eventually changed.
Martha Louise has three children from her previous marriage with author and playwright Ari Behn, whom she divorced in 2017 after 14 years of marriage.
