Princess Märtha Louise, the eldest child of the Norwegian king, will marry American self-proclaimed shaman Durek Verret on Saturday in a beautiful part of southern Norway. The couple has faced criticism and skepticism, leading to a decline in support for the royal family. Märtha Louise, who is fourth in line to the throne, decided to step back from her royal duties in 2022 to focus on her relationship with Verret.
The princess, who claims she can communicate with angels, and Verret, who says he can connect with spirits and uses a medallion for protection, got engaged in 2022. Despite their agreement not to use royal connections for commercial gain, Märtha Louise launched a gin brand with her title, prompting backlash and eventually a change in labeling.
The couple has also sold their wedding photo and film rights to media outlets, which has been criticized by the Norwegian press for going against local traditions. Meanwhile, the Norwegian monarchy’s reputation has been marred by scandals, including domestic violence charges against a family member and other controversies.
A political party advocating for the abolition of the monarchy is seizing on these scandals to push for constitutional changes. The wedding ceremony will include members of various royal families and celebrities, with the Norwegian royals, including King Harald, Queen Sonja, Haakon, and Mette-Marit, set to attend. The wedding location in Geiranger, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is expected to be a picturesque backdrop for the event.
Despite the controversies, the Norwegian monarchy continues to navigate challenges and maintain its traditions.
Read More
Rail workers union contests binding arbitration order