Norwegian Princess Enchanted by Mysticism to Marry American Shaman

Princess Louise to Marry Famous Shaman Beret in August
Controversy Over Use of Princess Title on Commemorative Liquor

After years of dating and an engagement that attracted attention, Norwegian Princess M?rtha Louise (52) and famous American spiritualist Durek Verrett (49) are getting married.

On the 26th (local time), British daily The Guardian and others reported that Princess Louise will hold her wedding with spiritualist Verrett over four days starting from the 29th of next month in the Norwegian village of Geiranger, located by the fjord.

Princess Louise, the eldest daughter of King Harald V of Norway, drew public attention when she announced her engagement to Verrett in June 2022.

Verrett, an African American from California, is known as the "spiritual leader of Hollywood" and has gained fame as a counselor to famous actors such as Gwyneth Paltrow.

He has claimed that he died and was resurrected, and that he predicted the September 11 attacks two years in advance. In his 2019 book "Spirit Hacking," he argued that people get cancer because they are unhappy, among other claims. During the pandemic, he stirred controversy by selling medals online that he claimed helped against COVID-19.

Verrett acknowledged that his beliefs might make some people uncomfortable, but he maintained that the criticism directed at him was rooted in racism.

American shaman Durek Barrett (left) and Norwegian Princess M?rtha Louise (center) [Image source=Yonhap News]

Princess Louise herself has long been a subject of controversy in Norway due to her interest in mysticism and alternative medicine, claiming she can communicate with angels. After becoming engaged to Verrett, she reportedly stepped back from official royal duties in November of the same year to focus on alternative medicine business ventures.

Following King Harald V’s wishes, Princess Louise retains her royal title but is prohibited from using it commercially. However, she recently faced criticism again for using her title in the process of releasing and selling liquor commemorating the wedding.

The liquor released for sale at the Norwegian state-run liquor stores bore a label stating, "This liquor was made for the wedding of Princess M?rtha Louise and Durek Verrett in Geiranger in August 2024." As criticism grew, Princess Louise’s side claimed it was a simple mistake and stated that future products would exclude the title.

Norwegian health authorities have also launched an investigation, and documents were revealed showing that the liquor manufacturer stated that Princess Louise and Verrett were directly involved in the bottle design.

Meanwhile, their wedding ceremony is scheduled to be held privately from the 31st of next month at a hotel with 197 rooms in Geiranger. Geiranger is famous for its magnificent fjord scenery and is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The couple will travel by boat with guests from the western Norwegian port city of ?lesund to Geiranger on the 29th.