Princess Märtha Louise of Norway has reflected on the public criticism that she and her fiancé Shaman Durek Verrett faced in the early stages of their relationship before their wedding on August 31.
The couple spoke with Hello! before their wedding, the first royal wedding in Norway in 22 years, since that of the Crown Prince and Crown Princess.
“I know what it feels like to be publicly criticized,” Martha, 52, told the magazine. “Since I’ve known Durek, the criticism has doubled.”
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“Before I met him, I didn’t realize there were so many different levels of racism, the microaggressions and the perception that he can’t be trusted because he’s black,” she added.
Both work as alternative therapists and Verrett as a spiritual healer and author.
Verrett counts Hollywood lifestyle guru and actress Gwyneth Paltrow among his friends and says he showed her Märtha Louise’s emerald green engagement ring before proposing.
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Princess Märtha Louise is the daughter of Norway’s King Harald V and Queen Sonja and her brother is Crown Prince Haakon.
As fourth in line to the throne, Princess Märtha has been in the spotlight her entire life.
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The bride-to-be faced calls to strip her of her princess title after using it for her commercial ventures, and in November 2022, Märtha Louise confirmed that she would no longer represent her father or the royal household.
According to an agreement with her father, the king, Märtha Louise is not allowed to use the title “Princess” for commercial purposes.
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The couple’s interview with Hello! is part of their exclusive deal with the publication to cover their three-day wedding. They have also reportedly signed a deal with Netflix for an exclusive documentary.
Guri Varpe, communications manager of the Norwegian royal family, told local broadcaster NRK that the royal family would not allow themselves to be photographed by the two organisations that have agreed exclusive rights with the couple because this would deny other media fair access.
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It is clear that the bride is not referred to as “princess” in the reporting due to the agreement between her and the king.
A photo of Märtha Louise and Verrett and the royal family will then be shared with all media.
Märtha Louise has three daughters – Maud Angelica, Leah Isadora and Emma Tallulah – from her first marriage to Ari Behn, which ended in 2016 after 14 years. Behn died in 2019 at the age of 47.
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