Current:Home > BackPrincess Märtha Louise of Norway Marries Shaman Durek Verrett in Lavish Wedding-Angel Dreamer Wealth Society D1 Reviews & Insights
Princess Märtha Louise of Norway Marries Shaman Durek Verrett in Lavish Wedding
View Date:2024-12-23 14:31:35
Norway gave its princess the royal treatment.
Two years after announcing their engagement, Princess Märtha Louise and her now-husband Durek Verrett tied the knot in a lavish, three-day ceremony in Ålesund—a picturesque port town on the west coast of the country.
As the Norwegian royal joked with Hello! ahead of the Aug. 31 ceremony, "The surroundings are gorgeous – it's one of the most beautiful places I know. Even if there are a few glitches, we can still gaze at the stunning scenery.”
The celebration kicked off with welcome drinks on Aug. 29, bucking traditional dress codes and instead asking guests to come in “sexy and cool” outfits. The second day of the extravaganza continued with guests enjoying a boat trip along the Geiranger Fjord, a Unesco World Heritage Site, followed by a Latin American-themed pre-wedding party.
And for the big day itself, Märtha, 52, and Durek, 49, were married at the historic, four-star Hotel Union with around 350 guests looking on. There to witness their mother’s happy day were her daughters Maud, 21, Leah, 19, and Emma, 16, who she shared with her late ex-husband Ari Behn (The couple divorced in 2017).
But having been married for 15 years previously, Märtha—who is fourth in line for the Norwegian crown and stepped back from royal duties in 2022—never expected to be walking down the aisle once more.
"I had decided not to get married again,” she told Hello!. “But after meeting Durek in 2018, I changed my mind. For me, getting married will seal the closeness between us. It's a way of elevating the energy and entering into a new phase of our relationship."
And for Durek, who is originally from California and works as a shaman, cementing their love in a marriage was also of personal importance.
"It's letting the world know this is the person I love in a declaration before family, friends and God,” he explained to the outlet. “Sealing our relationship in front of the universe is a strong spiritual declaration, and to do that surrounded by the people who love us and who we love, will be wonderful."
So when the big day finally rolled around, they each dressed to impress. For his part, Durek wore a black tuxedo styled with a gold cummerbund and tie knot.
Märtha, meanwhile, wore a bespoke ivory wedding dress paired with the tiara gifted to her on her 18th birthday by her grandfather King Olav V.
It was a picture-perfect event on many levels, and not just because it reportedly culminated in a salsa dance party.
As Märtha told Hello! after the ceremony, “Our love has triumphed against all odds and will last forever.”
And for more royal news from around the world, keep reading.
The Princess Royal was discharged after a five-day stay at Southmead Hospital. Her husband, Tim Laurence, said in a statement, "I would like to extend my warmest thanks to all the team at Southmead Hospital for their care, expertise and kindness during my wife’s short stay."
The younger sister of King Charles III sustained minor injuries during an incident at her estate Gatcombe Park, Buckingham Palace has announced.
"Her Royal Highness remains in Southmead Hospital, Bristol, as a precautionary measure for observation and is expected to make a full and swift recovery," the June 24 statement, shared to X, read. "The King has been kept closely informed and joins the whole Royal Family in sending his fondest love and well-wishes to The Princess for a speedy recovery."
Nearly three months after sharing her cancer diagnosis, the Princess of Wales said that she's "making good progress" with chemotherapy, though there are "good days and bad days" amid her health journey.
"On those bad days you feel weak, tired and you have to give in to your body resting," Kate wrote on Instagram June 14. "But on the good days, when you feel stronger, you want to make the most of feeling well."
She added, "My treatment is ongoing and will be for a few more months. On the days I feel well enough, it is a joy to engage with school life, spend personal time on the things that give me energy and positivity, as well as starting to do a little work from home."
On May 13, King Charles III bestowed the title of Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps to his oldest son, sparking controversy as many royal watchers believed the title would be more suited for Prince Harry, who trained and served in the military branch.
On April 26, nearly three months after sharing his cancer diagnosis, Buckingham Palace announced that Charles will return to public-facing duties.
The queen consort attended the Royal Maundy Service on March 28 in place of King Charles III, making her the first spouse of the Monarch to continue the ancient tradition.
In a March 22 video message, the Princess of Wales shared that she'd been diagnosed with cancer after undergoing abdominal surgery in January.
"It was thought that my condition was non-cancerous. The surgery was successful," she said before noting that tests after the operation found cancer had been present. "My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy and I am now in the early stages of that treatment."
After photo agencies pulled the picture Kensington Palace shared of Kate since having her abdominal surgery on March 10, the Princess of Wales addressed claims the photo was doctored.
"Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing," she tweeted on March 11. "I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused. I hope everyone celebrating had a very happy Mother's Day. C."
Princess Diana's niece celebrated Mother's Day in the U.K. by sharing she and her husband Michael Lewis privately welcomed their first baby.
“It’s the joy of my life to be your mummy, little one. I love you unconditionally," she captioned her March 10 Instagram post. "Happy Mother’s Day to those who celebrate today."
After keeping up her full slate of engagements in the wake of her husband's cancer diagnosis, the palace cleared Camilla's schedule.
The Times pointed out March 2 that the 76-year-old didn't have any engagements on her calendar until March 11, when she'd be due at Westminster Abbey to observe Commonwealth Day.
The husband of Lady Gabriella Windsor and ex-boyfriend of Pippa Middleton, was found dead Feb. 25. Days later, a coroner's inquest found that he died by suicide.
While King Charles III was in the hospital for his benign prostate enlargement procedure, the royal family member was diagnosed with cancer.
"His Majesty has today commenced a schedule of regular treatments, during which time he has been advised by doctors to postpone public-facing duties," Buckingham Palace said Feb. 5. "Throughout this period, His Majesty will continue to undertake State business and official paperwork as usual.The King is grateful to his medical team for their swift intervention, which was made possible thanks to his recent hospital procedure. He remains wholly positive about his treatment and looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible."
The Duchess of York's rep said in a statement on Jan. 21 that Sarah was recently diagnosed with malignant melanoma, an aggressive form of skin cancer. Several months prior, she underwent a single mastectomy to treat breast cancer.
On Jan. 14, Queen Margrethe II of Denmark made history as she officially abdicated the throne, handing the crown over to her son, now known as King Frederik the 10th.
Kensington Palace announced on Jan. 17 that Kate Middleton underwent planned abdominal surgery and was set to remain in the hospital for 10 to 14 days.
"Based on the current medical advice," the Palace said, "she is unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter."
Amid Kate's recovery, Prince William postponed a number of engagements as he supported his family, including the couple's three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
Shortly after Kate's hospitalization was made public, Buckingham Palace shared that Charles "has sought treatment for an enlarged prostate."
"His Majesty's condition is benign and he will attend hospital next week for a corrective procedure," the statement added. "The King’s public engagements will be postponed for a short period of recuperation."
Princess Claire and Prince Felix of Luxembourg welcomed son Balthazar Felix Karl on Jan. 7, the first royal baby of the New Year!
For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News AppveryGood! (4496)
Related
- Summer I Turned Pretty's Gavin Casalegno Marries Girlfriend Cheyanne Casalegno
- Arkansas man sentenced to 5 1/2 years for firebombing police cars during 2020 protests
- Teacher gifting etiquette: What is (and isn't) appropriate this holiday
- Maine man dies while checking thickness of lake ice, wardens say
- Judith Jamison, a dancer both eloquent and elegant, led Ailey troupe to success over two decades
- African bank accounts, a fake gold inheritance: Dating scammer indicted for stealing $1M
- In a reversal, Starbucks proposes restarting union talks and reaching contract agreements in 2024
- U.S. and UAE-backed initiative announces $9 billion more for agricultural innovation projects
- Mean Girls’ Lacey Chabert Details “Full Circle” Reunion With Lindsay Lohan and Amanda Seyfried
- Think twice before scanning a QR code — it could lead to identity theft, FTC warns
Ranking
- NASCAR Cup Series Championship race 2024: Start time, TV, live stream, odds, lineup
- Vessel owner pleads guilty in plot to smuggle workers, drugs from Honduras to Louisiana
- AP PHOTOS: 2023 images show violence and vibrance in Latin America
- Scottish court upholds UK decision to block Scotland’s landmark gender-recognition bill
- NATO’s Rutte calls for more Western support for Ukraine, warns of Russian alliances
- Use these tech tips to preserve memories (old and new) this holiday season
- In a reversal, Starbucks proposes restarting union talks and reaching contract agreements in 2024
- FTC opens inquiry of Chevron-Hess merger, marking second review this week of major oil industry deal
Recommendation
-
'Devastation is absolutely heartbreaking' from Southern California wildfire
-
China says its warplanes shadowed trespassing U.S. Navy spy plane over Taiwan Strait
-
Biden administration announces largest passenger rail investment since Amtrak creation
-
Prince Constantin of Liechtenstein dies unexpectedly at 51
-
‘Heretic’ and Hugh Grant debut with $11 million, but ‘Venom: The Last Dance’ tops box office again
-
French actor Gerard Depardieu is under scrutiny over sexual remarks and gestures in new documentary
-
Taylor Swift said Travis Kelce is 'metal as hell.' Here is what it means.
-
Polish truck drivers are blocking the border with Ukraine. It’s hurting on the battlefield