The only daughter of King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway on Wednesday announced her wedding date to her American fiancée, self-styled Shaman Durek, next summer.
Märtha Louise, 51, revealed her relationship with the Los Angeles-based spiritual guide and healer in May 2019 and got engaged to him in June 2022.
The wedding will be held in the scenic Norwegian town of Geiranger, on the shores of a fjord designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
"Durek Verrett and I are pleased to announce that our upcoming wedding will take place at the historic Hotell Union in Geiranger on 31 August 2024," the bride-to-be wrote in Norwegian on Instagram. The update came with a professional portrait of the couple, where they posed together against a soft backdrop.
"Geiranger is known for its spectacular fjord and dramatic mountains," she continued of the village in western Norway. "The Geiranger Fjord is on the UNESCO World Heritage List and represents Norway's rich culture and natural beauty. We are incredibly happy to be able to celebrate our love in Geiranger's beautiful surroundings. It means a lot to us to gather our loved ones in a place that is so rich in history and intense nature experiences. Geiranger is the perfect place to embrace our love."
Shaman Durek shared the same photo and message on his own Instagram page, calling his fiancée "my beloved Princess Märtha Louise."
While the bride-to-be was born a princess, the Royal House of Norway announced in November that she was officially stepping away from her royal role. The palace said the decision was made so Märtha Louise could more freely pursue other interests without the restrictions of being affiliated with the crown. The royal retains her princess title and remains welcome at family events, the statement said.
Princess Martha Louise of Norway and her fiance, self-professed shaman Durek Verrett, have set their wedding date. GETTY IMAGES
The princess relinquished her royal duties last year to run the alternative medicine business she shares with her fiance.
Verrett is known for promoting unfounded medical practices.
He has suggested cancer is a choice and sold medallions online said to ward off Covid-19, while Princess Martha Louise has claimed she is able to communicate with angels.
They announced their engagement in June 2022 and received the king's blessing.
"The King and Queen wish to thank Princess Märtha Louise for the important work she has carried out in her official capacity for several decades. She has performed her duties with warmth, care and deep commitment," courtiers wrote on behalf of Harald and Sonja, both 86.
"We wish Martha and Durek all the best."
The princess was previously married to author Ari Behn. They divorced in 2017, and Behn — who had discussed suffering from depression — died by suicide on Christmas Day 2019.
Princess Martha Louise is King Harald's eldest child. Her younger brother, Crown Prince Haakon, will succeed his father as king.
