Theirs is an unconventional love story. She is Princess Märtha Louise of Norway, whose parents, King Harald V and Queen Sonja, were said to be displeased with the couple’s decision to offer exclusivity agreements to Netflix and Hello during their wedding in August 2024. He is Shaman Durek Verrett, a self-described ‘hybrid species of reptilian and Andromeda’ who once suggested that cancer is a choice. The pair claim to have first met in another life as a Pharaoh and his queen in ancient Egypt.
Unconventional, perhaps, but the Princess and the Shaman appear more in love than ever, now offering their personal tips for a healthy relationship after a dreamy honeymoon at the private Villa Macakizi estate in Bodrum, Turkey. They pulled off the most hotly anticipated royal wedding of the year, have been dating for over seven years, and Märtha Louise claims to be able to commune with angels – so perhaps their advice is worth a listen.
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The newlyweds revealed the secrets to a happy, healthy relationship in a video posted to their social media accounts. Cosied up on a sofa, they offered fans and followers five top tips. They read as follows.
Number one: ‘Always tell the truth and be transparent. This builds a beautiful and lasting relationship because you can trust each other and know that, no matter what others say, the love will always be there.’
Number two: ‘Take responsibility for your own problems. When you're upset about something, it's usually you who's holding those frustrations inside, which often stem from something in the past. It's not the person in front of you.’
Number three: ‘Listen to the person you love. If they want to express themselves forcefully or even shout, don't take it personally and let them tell you about their dreams and projects.’
Number four: ‘Joy. Be fun and playful with your partner. Do new things, explore, and always enjoy life.’
And finally, number five: ‘Don't try to change the person you're with. That would only make them feel uncomfortable and unloved. You can always offer advice, but don't force it on them. Accept them as they are.’
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In addition to these five top tips, the pair wrote a message in the caption on Instagram, reminding their fans to never settle for less when it comes to romance. ‘In the journey of love, embracing growth and change plays a pivotal role,’ read the missive from Princess Märtha Louise. ‘Seek a partner who is willing to grow with you. If they’re resistant to change, it might be time to reconsider your future together.
‘Moving on can present opportunities for personal growth and finding a more compatible partner. Don’t settle for less; life is too short to stay stuck. Keep progressing to discover a love that aligns with your aspirations. Remember to invest in relationships that promote mutual growth and understanding, and welcome change as a route to meaningful connections.’
‘In essence,’ the Princess concluded, ‘a fulfilling relationship thrives on adaptability and shared growth.’
This unique royal couple have certainly been adaptable to circumstance. But despite a controversial courtship, Märtha Louise and Durek Verrett enjoyed a joyful wedding day celebration, which saw the House of Glücksburg join the couple’s LA inner circle in the picturesque village of Geiranger on Saturday, 31 August.
Crown Princess Mette-Marit, her children Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus (who was seen with his rumoured partner Amalie Givaer MacLeod), and Princess Astrid all donned traditional Norwegian bunads.
As for Märtha Louise? The Princess wore a sleeveless dress by Norwegian designer Tina Steffenakk Hermansen, which she paired with her signature diamond and pear tiara, gifted to her by her grandfather, King Olav, on her eighteenth birthday in 1989. The Princess clearly knew how eager the gathered public was to see her and her new husband, telling the press photographers to move out of the way to ensure the well-wishers had a good view: ‘They’re more important than you right now,' she said with a wave of her hand.
As she walked down the aisle, Märtha Louise was joined by seven bridesmaids, including her three daughters. Maud Angelica, 21, Leah Isadora, 19 and Emma Tallulah, 15, wore matching champagne dresses for the occasion. Durek, too, had amassed a group of seven groomsmen for the occasion. Many of his starry friends were in attendance, including model Margie Plus, the Maltese couturier Charles Borg, and star Harry Potter and The Queen’s Gambit, Matthew Lewis. Male guests from the United States, it is supposedly specified, were asked to take inspiration from the Oscars – where Durek Verrett has graced the red carpet several times.
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In the run-up to the event, there had been rumours that many high-profile European royals were planning to boycott the controversial celebration. ‘It is indeed my impression that the foreign royal houses are not too keen on being part of this circus, as it has become commonly known,’ wrote Norwegian historian and author Trond Norén Isaksen on his Instagram page. Yet, the Swedish royal family made their way to Geiranger, represented in style by Crown Princess Victoria, Prince Daniel, Prince Carl Phillip and his wife, Princess Sofia (later revealed to have been pregnant at the event). It is said that King Frederik and Queen Mary of Denmark were offered an invitation, but turned down the offer to see Märtha Louise and Durek say ‘I do’.
The Princess certainly seems to have been thriving since she returned home from her honeymoon. Just this week, Märtha Louise has represented her clothing brand, Hést, at the Frend digital event (‘Proud of you,’ commented Durek on a video of her address. ‘You speak with such clarity and truth.’) and also enjoyed a cosy brunch in Oslo with her new groom. With Mercury in retrograde, no doubt there are plenty of astrologically minded lovebirds who will be eager to take a page out of the couple’s book: their relationship was, as they themselves have said, ‘written in the stars’.
