The recent royal wedding in Norway is generating quite the buzz, and not for the reasons you’d expect from your run-of-the-mill fairy tale. While royal weddings are typically regal affairs, brimming with centuries-old tradition and dripping in jewels, this one threw a curveball that even seasoned royal watchers didn’t see coming. Enter Princess Märtha Louise of Norway and her fiancé, Durek Verrett, a self-proclaimed "shaman" whose Instagram bio could easily be mistaken for the plot of a Netflix original series. Their upcoming nuptials are not only shaking up the Norwegian monarchy but are also a fascinating (and somewhat bizarre) glimpse into the modern-day royal drama and spiritual mysticism. Let’s break it down. A Tale of Two Worlds Colliding On one side, you have Märtha Louise, a bonafide princess with a long lineage that would make even the most hardened cynic believe in fairytales. Her father is King Harald V, and she’s fourth in line to the Norwegian throne. On the other side is Durek Verrett, who’s not just any shaman—he’s an American-born spiritual guru to the stars, having gained a bit of notoriety for peddling questionable health claims and spiritual services. Verrett’s rise to fame came through a combination of Hollywood celebrity connections and, well, an impressive knack for self-promotion. He’s positioned himself as a healer, claiming to channel mystical energies that can cleanse people’s spirits, cure ailments, and connect individuals with their “higher selves.” All of this has left many Norwegians wondering if this is a royal match made in heaven, or perhaps somewhere else entirely. As it turns out, some royals are skipping the Becoming Queen Consort 101 classes and opting instead for a life with Instagram influencers who dabble in spiritual healing. Märtha Louise, who herself has leaned into the metaphysical world with claims of being able to communicate with angels, may have found her soulmate in Verrett, but not everyone in Norway is jumping for joy. The Shaman, the Controversy, and the Crown Verrett’s career as a shaman, and the more than a few eyebrow-raising statements he’s made, have ruffled quite a few feathers in Norway. He’s claimed that childhood trauma can be healed by holding one’s breath (a technique that would probably make any licensed therapist groan in existential despair). He’s also promoted a rather dubious concept called "spirit hacking," where he asserts that spiritual energy can essentially cure anything that ails you. These ideas are all well and good if you’re catering to the Goop crowd, but when you're marrying into a family that’s still somewhat rooted in reality, it tends to stir up controversy. The fact that Norway’s royal family is already seen as one of the more laid-back monarchies in Europe makes this wedding all the more strange. It’s hard to imagine Queen Elizabeth II, in her prime, allowing one of her offspring to marry a self-proclaimed shaman, but in Norway, it’s just another Tuesday. Of course, even with their more relaxed vibe, the Norwegian royal family has had to acknowledge that not everyone is thrilled with Märtha Louise’s decision to wed a man whose Instagram feed is filled with, well, non-traditional philosophies about health, wealth, and spirituality. King Harald, the princess’s father, has played the part of the dutiful royal, showing support for his daughter’s choice but also issuing statements that reflect the complicated nature of this union. The king has gone on record saying that they are “getting to know Durek better,” which, in royal speak, is the equivalent of “we’re still figuring out if this guy is for real or if he’s just really good at marketing himself.” And can you blame them? The prospect of a man who once claimed to have "cleansed" Gwyneth Paltrow’s spirit sitting at the royal dinner table is enough to make anyone in the palace staff question what’s going on. The Public Outcry Of course, the royal family isn’t the only group grappling with the news. The Norwegian public has had their fair share of things to say about this engagement, with reactions ranging from mild curiosity to outright disbelief. It’s not every day that a nation is asked to accept that their future royal in-law moonlights as a spirit hacker who charges a pretty penny for metaphysical health advice. Verrett’s reputation for promoting what many see as pseudoscience hasn’t exactly won him favor in a country where the royal family is still expected to carry themselves with a certain air of dignity. The news of the engagement has sparked a media frenzy, with critics and commentators speculating about how this wedding will impact the royal family’s already delicate public image. Norway’s monarchy doesn’t wield much political power these days, but they are still symbolic figures, and their actions have cultural and social consequences. The idea of a shaman marrying into the royal family isn’t sitting well with everyone, especially considering that Verrett’s teachings and claims have been debunked by many in the scientific community. For a country that prides itself on its progressive values and pragmatism, the union between a princess and a man who claims to have the power to cleanse spirits has been more than a little disorienting. Some Norwegians have voiced concerns that the royal family, traditionally seen as a unifying symbol for the nation, may be veering into tabloid territory. Märtha Louise: Rebel Royal or Spiritual Crusader? Then again, Märtha Louise has never been your typical royal. She’s always marched to the beat of her own spiritual drum, much to the chagrin of the more traditional factions within the monarchy. Over the years, she’s distanced herself from royal duties to pursue a career as a "spiritual guide," and she’s written books about her ability to communicate with angels. Her royal title is still intact, but her decision to step away from official duties means that she’s essentially been given free rein to live her life as she pleases—which, apparently, means marrying a shaman. This wedding, however, represents a new chapter for Märtha Louise, one that could redefine her place within the royal family. On one hand, she’s positioning herself as a trailblazer, unafraid to challenge royal norms and embrace her own version of happiness. On the other hand, the decision to marry Verrett has raised questions about the extent to which she should be allowed to associate with the monarchy while promoting alternative health practices that have been met with skepticism. The Business of Being a Royal Shaman While many may be critical of Verrett's more esoteric beliefs, there’s no denying that the man knows how to monetize his brand. His services don’t come cheap, with private sessions reportedly costing thousands of dollars, and he has made a name for himself as the go-to shaman for Hollywood’s elite. Marrying into a royal family only adds to his appeal, and one can’t help but wonder if Verrett sees this as a way to expand his influence even further. Will the princess and the shaman become the ultimate power couple in the wellness world? It’s entirely possible. With Märtha Louise’s connections and Verrett’s celebrity status, the two could easily become a force to be reckoned with in the lucrative world of alternative health and spiritual healing. Some might even speculate that the wedding itself could be the precursor to a royal-approved wellness empire. Imagine, if you will, the “Princess and Shaman” line of luxury wellness products—angel communication workshops, spirit-hacking retreats, and maybe even a line of high-end crystals. The possibilities are endless, and if there’s one thing we know about the modern-day influencer economy, it’s that there’s always a market for the next big wellness trend. What’s Next for the Royal Family? As the royal wedding approaches, the world will be watching to see how this union plays out. Will Märtha Louise and Verrett be embraced by the Norwegian public, or will their marriage serve as a flashpoint for further criticism of the monarchy’s relevance in today’s world? There’s no denying that this wedding represents a turning point for the royal family, one that could have long-lasting implications for how they’re perceived by both their subjects and the global community. For now, though, it seems that the royal family is doing their best to keep things civil, even as they grapple with the implications of welcoming a shaman into their ranks. King Harald’s comments suggest that there’s still some work to be done in terms of integrating Verrett into the royal fold, but the fact that they’ve given their blessing to the marriage at all speaks volumes about their willingness to adapt to changing times. Conclusion: A Royal Match for the Modern Age In the end, the marriage between Princess Märtha Louise and Durek Verrett may be the perfect symbol of our modern age—an age where wellness influencers have as much sway as politicians, and where spiritual guidance can be found with the swipe of a credit card. The union of royalty and mysticism might seem strange to some, but in a world that thrives on social media clicks and spiritual awakenings, it’s not all that surprising. And while there will undoubtedly be plenty of skeptics and critics along the way, one thing is clear: this is a wedding that will go down in history. Whether it’s remembered as a groundbreaking union or as a footnote in the ongoing saga of royal eccentricity remains to be seen. But for now, the princess and her shaman are getting ready to walk down the aisle—and the world will be watching. Thanks for listening and remember to like and share wherever you get your podcasts