Key Takeaways
- Princess Märtha Louise of Norway married Durek Verrett, a self-styled shaman, on August 31, 2024.
- Their royal wedding is considered one of the most controversial in recent history.
- The newlyweds allowed a documentary crew to film their big day and interview them about their relationship.
- The project, Rebel Royals: An Unlikely Love Story, is scheduled to premiere on Netflix on September 16, 2025.
When Princess Märtha Louise tied the knot with Durek Verrett, a self-styled shaman, on August 31, 2024, there was an unexpected addition to the guest list. Beyond the typical attendees for such an affair—from family members and close friends to the royals of neighboring countries—the duo invited a production company to chronicle their big day. In an Instagram post shared by Durek announcing the news, he noted that the filmmakers had been following him and his partner for over a year. "The untitled documentary is a never-before-seen look at one of the most-discussed couples and explores their love story from the early days to the present day and how they navigate their new life surrounded by constant attention from the public," the caption read.
A little over a year later, the final product is here: Rebel Royals: An Unlikely Love Story is scheduled to premiere on Netflix on September 16, 2025. However, while the duo welcomed producers and cameras into their private life, including their wedding, the decision was not without controversy. In the trailer for the documentary, an unidentified commenter noted that it wasn't clear whether the shaman was marrying for love, money, or power. "We don't know what he wants, but we think he made his way through the princess to get into the royal family," she said. In the months following the duo's big day, they continued to generate headlines, as multiple vendors accused the newlyweds of not paying their bills, claiming that they owed over $90,000.
In anticipation of the documentary's release, we're taking a look back at the controversial Norwegian royal wedding—and explaining some of the key details to know about the couple's relationship.
He claims she fell in love with him first.
In the trailer for the documentary, Durek noted that Märtha Louise was the one who fell in love with him first. "I saw him, and I was like 'I know you already,'" the princess said in the clip. However, the shaman was reportedly a bit more apprehensive about starting a relationship with her, noting that he had originally thought he would ultimately enter into a romantic partnership with a man.
Momodu Mansaray / Contributor / Getty Images
The duo got engaged in 2022.
The couple, who started dating in 2019, announced their engagement in 2022. While the shaman popped the question in the California countryside, he had originally wanted to do it at Disneyland. In an interview with Hello!, Durek said that he had initially planned for a Star Wars-themed proposal involving Holly Madison. "[Märtha Louise] can read my mind," he told the outlet. "When I thought about asking her to marry me at Disneyland, which we love, she called me to tell me not to."
The couple hosted multiple pre-wedding celebrations.
While the duo ultimately tied the knot on August 31, 2024, the official festivities kicked off on August 29, 2024, with an intimate reception at Hotel 1904 in Alesund that called for a "sexy and cool" dress code. The next day, the couple, along with their guests, took a boat along the Geiranger Fjord to the ceremony site. That evening, they hosted their final pre-wedding event before tying the knot: a salsa party at Hotel Union where they eagerly showed off their dance moves to their 350 guests, according to Hello!.
CORNELIUS POPPE / Contributor / Getty Images
The guest list included an American reality TV star.
Even though the duo's pairing was controversial, a number of the princess's royal family members were in attendance at the couple's nuptials, including her parents, King Harald and Queen Sonja. Märtha Louise's three daughters from her previous marriage to Ari Behn were also at the ceremony, donning matching gold dresses for the occasion. While Durek has often spoken about his A-list connections, only one American star, Cynthia Bailey of The Real Housewives of Atlanta, appeared to be at the celebration, according to the BBC.
The bride wore a wedding gown by a Norwegian designer.
For the ceremony, the bride donned an ivory duchess satin gown embroidered with florals from Tina Steffenakk Hermansen. The sleeveless dress featured a long train and a V-cut neckline. The decision to turn to a Norwegian designer honored a tradition set by the princess at her first wedding. At that 2002 celebration, she selected an ensemble crafted by Norway's Wenche Lyche.
HEIKO JUNGE / Contributor / Getty Images
She also accessorized with a modern tiara for the ceremony.
In addition to her gown, Märtha Louise wore a tiara on her big day, donning one that was given to her by her grandfather, King Olav, on her 18th birthday. According to The Court Jeweller, the piece is made of "scattered diamond ears of wheat, topped by a row of small pearls." For the ceremony, the princess secured a dramatic veil to the headpiece.
The couple wrote their own vows.
During the ceremony, the couple opted to share their own handwritten vows. "I promise to always listen to your wisdom," Durek said, according to Hello!. "I promise to always hold space for you and your daughters and listen to them as well. I promise to love you with my last breath." Märtha Louise echoed many of the same sentiments with her words: "I promise to love you with all my heart. I promise to take responsibility for my emotions. I promise to love you because I know you know that my girls come first. And I promise I will walk with you to the best of my ability because we are always changed although we are always the same. Because we are always the past, the present and the future in one."
