Märtha Louise engaged to Durek Verrett
Princess and shaman celebrate their love with announcement
Photo: Babak Golkar / elevateYOU / NTB
Princess Märtha Louise and Durek Verrett, an American who lives in Los Angeles, have announced their engagement, but no wedding date has yet been set.
NTB
Princess Märtha Louise and Durek Verrett are engaged, but it is unclear when the wedding will take place. For now, they want to celebrate their love.
“Have patience with us. We will announce everything when the time is right, but until then we will continue to celebrate our love,” the couple wrote in a press release.
The relationship between the princess and Durek Verrett, known as Shaman Durek, first became known in 2019. Since then, there has been controversial publicity around them at times, including when they went on a lecture tour together.
After three years of a long-distance relationship between Norway and Los Angeles, the couple said that they are ready to take the relationship a step further.
“Love does not judge where you come from or who you are as human beings. Love creates a bridge between people, cultures, and religions. And we are happy to have found each other, across continents, ethnicity, and social background,” the couple wrote.
“Exciting time”
No date has been set for the wedding, and the couple will continue to live on different continents for the time being.
“Maud, Leah, and Emma are happy for us, and it is an exciting time for the entire family. Still, we ask for understanding, so that the children in the time ahead can enjoy the summer in peace and quiet,” the couple said.
When the engagement was announced, the couple was in Los Angeles, where Verrett lives.
Royal family congratulates the couple
“His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen send their most heartfelt congratulations to Princess Märtha Louise and Durek Verrett on the occasion of their engagement and wish them all the best for the future,” the royal couple wrote in a greeting on the royal house’s website.
The crown prince’s family also sent warm congratulations to the couple.
“Faithfully by our side”
In an update on social media on June 7, the princess thanked family and friends in connection with the engagement.
“I am so happy that I am engaged to Shaman Durek, the one who makes my heart jolt,” the princess wrote. “Thank you to all my friends and family who have stood faithfully by our side.”
Shared a photo
Durek Verrett also commented on the engagement on Instagram.
“Princess Märtha Louise is the love of my life. She sees all aspects of me, and I see all of her,” wrote Verrett.
In connection with the engagement, Märtha Louise and Durek Verrett shared a photo in which they smile and look each other in the eyes. The princess has a gold ring on her left ring finger with turquoise gemstones surrounded by what appear to be diamonds.
“She said YES!” Verrett wrote on Instagram, revealing that it was he who proposed.
“I am the happiest I ever been,” he said.
“Very important”
Märtha Louise has children Maud Angelica (19), Leah Isadora (17) and Emma Tallulah (13), who she had with her ex-husband, the late author Ari Behn.
Behn died by suicide on Dec. 25, 2019, and the princess said in an interview with TV 2 that Verrett helped her through dark times.
“He was the only one who managed to be there, to be present. He was very much there for the children during that period. That he was there was very important,” she said.
Has considered moving
The princess and Verrett publicly confirmed their relationship in May 2019. Shortly afterward, they went on a lecture tour, The Princess and the Shaman, for which they received some criticism, including mixing commercial interests and her princess title. Later, she stopped using her title commercially.
The princess has said in several interviews that she has considered moving to the United States with Verrett.
“He initially wanted to move to Norway, but then he came to Norway, and it did not exactly turn out to be very pleasant,” she said to TV 2 last year.
The couple was followed by the Norwegian press during Verrett’s first visit to the country, and there was also some public controversy surrounding the publication of his book Spirit Hacking.
This article originally appeared in the June 24, 2022, issue of The Norwegian American. To subscribe, visit SUBSCRIBE or call us at (206) 784-4617.
