Princess Martha Louise of Norway and her fiancé Durek Verrett admit in a pre-wedding interview that they have “weathered many storms” – exclusive
This may be the most extraordinary love marriage that a European royal family has ever experienced.
Next week, Princess Märtha Louise of Norway will marry Durek Verrett, the charismatic Californian spiritual healer she first met under unusual circumstances six years ago, in a spectacular three-day celebration culminating in a wedding ceremony set against a stunning backdrop of mountains, fjords and waterfalls.
In a world first, HELLO! and HOLA! will be present at this unique occasion when members of the Norwegian Royal Family and their 350 guests gather in Geiranger on the west coast of Norway to witness this special union.
“We are very excited,” Martha, the daughter of King Harald V and Queen Sonja, fourth in line to the throne, tells us when we meet her before the celebrations at the Edvard Munch Hotel near Oslo.
“It’s an incredible feeling to marry Durek and I’m so happy that the day is almost here. The surroundings are beautiful – it’s one of the most beautiful places I know.”
“Even if there are a few mishaps, we can still admire the breathtaking scenery,” she laughs.
The decision to marry
The 52-year-old mother of three, who was married to the late author Ari Behn – the father of her daughters Maud, 21, Leah, 19, and Emma, 16 – for 15 years before divorcing in 2017, pauses and continues: “I had decided not to remarry. But after meeting Durek in 2018, I changed my mind.”
“For me, marriage will seal the closeness between us. It is an opportunity to increase energy and enter a new phase of our relationship.”
For 49-year-old Durek, whose Hollywood friends include Gwyneth Paltrow and Selma Blair, marriage is “a very spiritual thing.”
“I am letting the world know that this is the person I love in a statement before family, friends and God. Sealing our relationship before the universe is a powerful spiritual statement, and doing so surrounded by the people who love us and who we love will be wonderful.”
Subjected to criticism
However, the course of their true love was anything but smooth.
From the moment Martha announced her relationship with Durek in May 2019, describing him as her “twin flame,” the couple has faced enormous adversity and challenges – not only because he works as a “shaman” (spiritual healer), but also because of his ethnicity and because he is set to be the first black person to become a member of a European royal family.
“I know what it feels like to face public criticism,” says Martha, who has suffered ridicule and disapproval for her own spiritual work and faith – she gave up her royal duties in 2022 to focus on her alternative practices.
“Since I met Durek, the criticism has doubled. Before I met him, I didn’t realize there were so many levels of racism, the microaggressions and the perception that he can’t be trusted because he’s black. Over time, some friendships have been lost – but we’ve also made new ones.”
Durek holds Martha’s hand tightly in his and says: “At first it hurt me. I had a nervous breakdown, a breakdown. It seems that propaganda is the most powerful weapon today. My work continues to be misrepresented, and when something is repeated in the press, people believe it.”
“Martha and I have weathered many storms, but now we feel like we can do anything together – that has made us stronger.”
Filming location Villa Munch, Ramme Fjordhotell
Photographer: Dusan Reljin/Tinagent
Martha Louise’s hair: @henrikkerosland. Martha Louise’s makeup: @ag_star. Durek’s makeup: @ag_star
Stylist: Afaf Ali. Styling assistant: Rogerd.
Thanks to: Den Dama, Høyer, Urmaker Bjerke, Group88, White By Green, Rogerd Esmaeli, Holzweiler, Envelope, Octopussy.
To read the full exclusive interview with Martha Louise and Durek, pick up the latest issue of HELLO!, on sale in the UK on Monday. You can subscribe to HELLO! to get the magazine delivered to your home for free every week, or buy the digital edition online via our Apple or Google apps.
LOVE THE ROYALS? JOIN THE CLUB!
If you’re reading this, you’re probably obsessed with all things royal – and that’s a good thing, because so are we! In fact, we’re so obsessed that we’ve started a club dedicated solely to these topics. So welcome to the HELLO! Royal Club. We’d love for you to join us there…
What is that?
Interactive community with behind-the-scenes access, exclusive interviews with the royals, unforgettable insights into the royal world and an illustrious royal Inner Circle.
Benefits for members
- Two weekly newsletters, one from Emily Nash
- Video contributions and audio notes from Emily Nash and the HELLO! Royal team
- Access to our royal community and opportunity to interact with club authors and members
- Participate in polls, comments and discussion threads
- Royal-themed puzzles with weekly prizes
- Access to our “Ask Me Anything” sessions with our journalists
- Invitations to in-person and virtual events
- A subscription to the digital edition of HELLO! magazine (worth £82 per year)*
- Future benefits of the “Inner Circle”
By royal decree
You’re invited to join the HELLO! Royal Club – and then go out and spread the word to your royal fans. See you at the club!
