Norwegian princess announces engagement to American shaman

ANKARA

Norway’s royal family on Tuesday announced the engagement of Princess Martha Louise and her American boyfriend Durek Verrett, a self-styled shaman.

Martha Louise, 50, the only daughter of King Harald V and Queen Sonja, is fourth in the line of succession after her brother Crown Prince Haakon and his two children.

“His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen send their most heartfelt congratulations and wish them all the best for the future,” read a statement from the Royal House of Norway.

Martha Louise has three daughters from her first marriage to Norwegian author Ari Behn, who died by suicide on Christmas Day in 2019.

The couple married in 2002 and divorced in 2017.

Martha Louise confirmed her relationship with Verrett, who is also known as Shaman Durek, in May 2019.

Their relationship has courted controversy in Norway, particularly due to the nature of Verrett’s profession.