Princess Märtha Louise of Norway’s upcoming wedding to Shaman Durek Verrett has become the subject of intense debate — not because of the guest list or the gown, but because of its unusual media restrictions that are breaking royal tradition.
The 52-year-old princess, daughter of King Harald and Queen Sonja, is set to marry her American fiancé on August 31, 2025, at the scenic Hotel Union in Geiranger. Yet, controversy arose when Norway’s national broadcaster NRK revealed that media rights to the wedding were reportedly tied to Hello! magazine and Netflix, limiting other outlets’ access. In response, the Royal House of Norway confirmed that senior royals attending — including the King, Queen, Crown Prince Haakon, and Crown Princess Mette-Marit — would refrain from being filmed or photographed by Hello! or Netflix during the ceremony out of fairness to media excluded from coverage.
The Norwegian Editors’ Association quickly condemned the decision. “A key member of the Norwegian royal family is breaking what has been a long and good tradition,” said chair Reidun Kjelling Nybø. “Major royal events have always been covered through national outlets like NTB and NRK, ensuring that images are shared broadly with the Norwegian people.” NTB’s news editor, Christina Dorthellinger, echoed the sentiment, calling the move “historic” and “terribly surprising.” She noted that Norway’s press has documented every major royal event since 1905 — from King Haakon VII’s arrival to state weddings and jubilees — and said this exclusion marks a “new turn” in the monarchy’s relationship with the media.
Under the arrangement, the public will only see Princess Märtha Louise and Durek greet well-wishers after their ceremony, with official photos — likely featuring Märtha’s three daughters from her late ex-husband, Ari Behn — to be released afterward. Coverage from the event itself will come solely through Hello!’s photography and Netflix’s production access, NRK reported.
The decision underscores how Märtha Louise’s position within the royal family has shifted in recent years. After decades of public service, she stepped back from her official duties in 2022 to pursue private ventures with Durek, a self-described “sixth-generation shaman” whose spiritual teachings have attracted both celebrity clients and criticism. The palace emphasized at the time that Märtha Louise would retain her title but no longer use it in commercial contexts. “The Princess wishes to differentiate more clearly between her own activities and her relationship to the Royal House of Norway,” the statement read.
Her choice to control media access to her wedding reflects this new independence — but it also highlights the tension between personal privacy and public expectation that comes with royal status. Critics argue that royal weddings, even for non-working members, are national moments that belong to the people, not private productions. Supporters, however, point out that Märtha Louise, having relinquished her public role, is within her rights to choose a more modern and commercially managed celebration.
For the couple, the focus remains on love and spiritual connection rather than controversy. In recent months, both have spoken out against what they describe as “lies” and “negativity” in the press. “We are focusing on creating a wedding that reflects the depth of our love,” Durek wrote on Instagram, while the Princess reiterated her wish for a celebration “filled with joy, truth, and respect.” The ceremony will reportedly be officiated by Parish Priest Margit Lovise Holte, with a special greeting from American spiritual leader Reverend Michael Beckwith.
Still, for the Norwegian monarchy — one of Europe’s most respected and traditionally transparent royal houses — this moment marks a cultural shift. As Princess Märtha Louise charts her own path between royal heritage and personal freedom, her wedding may serve as a case study in how modern monarchies navigate the boundaries of public life in the age of global media.’
Whether seen as a bold step toward autonomy or a break from royal openness, the event promises to redefine what it means to be a royal in the 21st century — not just in Norway, but across a world increasingly watching monarchy through both history and high definition.
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