Princess reflects on criticism she’s faced ahead of wedding

Princess Märtha Louise of Norway has reflected on the public criticism she and fiancé Shaman Durek Verrett faced during the early stages of their relationship ahead of their wedding on August 31.
The couple spoke to Hello! ahead of their nuptials, the first royal wedding in Norway in 22 years, since that of its Crown Prince and Princess.
“I know how it feels to face public criticism,” Martha, 52, told the publication. “Since I met Durek that criticism has doubled.
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“I didn’t realise there were so many levels of racism before I met him, the micro-aggressions and perception that because he’s Black, he can’t be trusted,” she added.
Both work as alternative therapist and Verrett as a spiritual healer and author.
Verrett counts Hollywood lifestyle guru and actress Gwyneth Paltrow as a friend and says he showed her Märtha Louise’s emerald 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 all her life.
The bride-to-be faced calls to have her princess title removed after using it for her commercial endeavours and in November 2022, Märtha Louise confirmed she would no longer represent her father or the royal household.
Under an agreement with her father the king, Märtha Louise must not use the title “princess” for commercial gain.
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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.
Communication manager at Norway’s Royal Household, Guri Varpe, told local broadcaster NRK that the royal family would not allow themselves to be photographed by the two organisations that have signed exclusive rights with the couple because it denies other outlets fair access.
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It’s understood the bride will not be referred to as “princess” in the coverage, due to the agreement made between her and the king.
One photograph of Märtha Louise and Verrett and the royal family will be shared with all media afterwards.
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 of marriage. Behn died in 2019, aged 47.
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