Who made the cut for Princess Märtha Louise’s wedding party? Norway’s Royal Family share sweet photo from her controversial nuptials to American Shaman Durek Verrett – but some family members aren’t included
Norway’s Royal Family have shared a stunning family photo from Princess Märtha Louise’s wedding day to Durek Verrett on Saturday – but there were some relatives missing from the snap.
The loved-up newlyweds posed with their wedding party, family and close friends after they tied the knot yesterday during a ceremony at a hotel in the small Norwegian town of Geiranger.
Beaming alongside the couple were Märtha’s three daughters Maud Angelica, 21, Leah Isadora, 19, and Emma Tallulah, 15, as well as her parents, King Harald and Queen Sonja.
The photo also included close friends Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel of Sweden and Anne-Kari Bøhaugen, who was reportedly maid-of-honour, and Märtha Louise’s brother Prince Haakon, his wife Princess Mette-Marit and their children Princess Ingrid Alexandra, 20, and Prince Sverre Magnus, 18.
However, the sweet snap revealed the relatives who didn’t make the cut for the lavish 350-guest event – including Prince Haakon’s stepson Marius Borg Høiby, and the groom’s estranged mother Veruschka Urquhart and sister Demi DeLaNuit.
In a scandal that has rocked the country, Marius issued a grovelling statement earlier this month, apologising for attacking his ‘girlfriend’, and citing his mental health diagnosis as a factor.
Princess Märtha Louise of Norway and Shaman Durek Verrett shared a photo with their closest family and friends from their wedding on Saturday – but there were some notable absences
Notably absent was Prince Haakon’s stepson Marius Borg Høiby (pictured in June 2022) who is facing preliminary charges of bodily harm and criminal damage
The groom’s estranged mother Veruschka Urquhart was also missing from the celebrations. The couple threatened legal action against the 81-year-old for ‘slander’ and ‘false statements’
Durek’s half-sister Demi DeLaNuit launched a blistering attack on the couple and claimed they were threatening to sue her ‘for millions of dollars’
The 27-year-old, who is facing preliminary charges of bodily harm and criminal damage, was briefly detained when officers responded to a disturbance in downtown Oslo on August 25.
Marius is the son of Princess Mette-Marit from a previous relationship and has no royal title or official duties.
He was said to have deserted plans to attend the nuptials of Märtha Louise and Shaman Durek Verrett in favour of attending the wedding of a billionaire’s son in Italy.
However, it seems like Marius might have had an uneventful weekend after he was reportedly uninvited from the celebrity wedding when guests apparently threatened to back out if he came.
After discovering Marius had travelled to Tuscany to attend the event, several guests threatened to pull out for fear of unwanted media attention, according to Norwegian tabloid Se Og Hør.
Also missing from Märtha Louise and Shaman Durek’s celebrations were the groom’s estranged mother Veruschka Urquhart and sister Demi DeLaNuit.
Last month, the couple reportedly issued a cease-and-desist letter to his estranged 81-year-old mother and threatened legal action over her ‘slander’ and ‘false statements’.
Durek explained on Instagram how the pair believe their decision is ‘the only remaining option for change’.
Princess Märtha Louise of Norway and her US groom Shaman Durek delighted crowds lining the streets by sharing a kiss after their wedding
The happy couple hold hands as they walk the red carpet in front of press and crowds of fans
Showing off their wedding bands and intricate detailing on both of their outfits
Waving to the press and people who came to line the streets to see them as they wed
He said his mother Veruschka Urquhart has ‘repeatedly slandered our characters through false statements showing a significant lack of care and love towards Märtha, myself, and our respective families’.
In interviews with celebrity magazine Se Og Hør, Veruschka has labelled her son ‘dangerous’, alleging that he had ‘brainwashed’ the princess and that their family was not as wealthy as Durek has tried to make out.
By Durek’s own account, in a 2020 interview with Vanity Fair, he grew up in extreme wealth with domestic servants and private planes thanks to his successful architect father.
After Durek and Märtha Louise released the statement, his half-sister Demi launched a blistering attack on the couple and claimed they were threatening to sue Veruschka ‘for millions of dollars’.
‘You are riding our 81-year-old mother a little too hard for my taste,’ she said in a video message. ‘I have worked tirelessly to separate myself from you since that incident that happened four years ago. It’s all gonna come out soon.’ She did not explain which incident she was referring to.
Despite family tensions, Märtha Louise and Durek appeared to be all smiles on their wedding day.
After their ceremony, the lovebirds delighted crowds lining the streets by sharing a kiss.
Following festivities that started on Thursday, the actual wedding ceremony took place in a large white tent set up on a lush lawn
The bride and groom pictured during their wedding inside the tent
Social media influencers, reality stars and TV personalities were among the guests as the Norwegian king’s eldest child married the American shaman.
Märtha Louise and Durek made an impromptu walk-about to say thanks to the few dozen well-wishers who had come to the tiny fjord-side village to lay their respects.
Families with young children, elderly residents and young couples had waited for hours for a glimpse of the princess and her new husband.
The newlyweds beamed with pride as they waved to the crowd, before going back into the hotel for the wedding afternoon tea and cocktails – and the party set to go into the early hours of the morning.
Following festivities that started on Thursday, the actual wedding ceremony took place in a large white tent set up on a lush lawn.
Guests told media outlets that Norwegian and U.S. artists performed at the event along with a gospel choir and a singer representing Norway’s indigenous Sami people.
Norwegian TV personality Harald Ronneberg told public broadcaster NRK: ‘It was fantastic! It was Hollywood meets Geiranger. It was gospel and love. We laughed, we clapped, and we were touched. It was absolutely beautiful.’
The couple has sold the wedding photo rights to British celebrity magazine Hello! and the film rights to Netflix. The deals prompted protests from Norwegian media, which say the arrangement goes against local practices. The couple have often lashed out against the press while promoting themselves on social media.
The 87-year-old King Harald, who has been in fragile health the past few years, attended his daughter’s wedding together with Queen Sonja and other member of the Norwegian royal house. Crown Princess Victoria and her husband Prince Daniel represented the Swedish royal house together with her brother, Prince Carl Philip, and his wife Princess Sofia. No other European royals attended the wedding.
The wedding comes amid widespread criticism of the couple’s actions and waning support for the Norwegian royals.
Princess Märtha and husband Durek greeted people from a balcony
The pair shared a kiss in front of press and onlookers after the ceremony
They tied the knot in the picturesque small town of Geiranger, one of Norway’s major tourist attractions located on a fjord with stunning views
Princess Märtha looks stunning in her tiara and veil as she waves to the crowds
Close family and bridesmaids enter Hotel Union in Geiranger
Guests exit the Vinje and follow the red carpet to Hotel Union
More guests walking the red carpet and taking selfies with the beautiful backdrop
Wedding attendees donning glamorous gowns as they strut down the red carpet
Guest in traditional clothing attend Princess Märtha and Durek’s wedding
Märtha Louise and Durek have attracted headlines with their alternative beliefs. She is fourth in line to the Norwegian throne but said in 2022 that she’ll no longer officially represent the Norwegian royal house.
The princess – she has retained the title – has said she can talk with angels, while Durek claims that he communicates with a broad range of spirits and has a medallion which helps ward off spells and cure diseases.
They became engaged in 2022. Following their marriage, Durek will not have a royal title or official duties.
In a 2019 deal, Märtha Louise and Durek agreed not to use her connection to the royal house or her title for commercial purposes.
But earlier this year Märtha Louise labelled bottles of gin with her title and launched the brand in time for the wedding, defying King Harald’s directive that she should not profit from her royal status. The label was eventually changed.
Märtha Louise has three children from her previous marriage with author and playwright Ari Behn, whom she divorced in 2017 after 14 years of marriage.
