Netflix's 'Rebel Royals' True Love Story Of Norway Princess, Martha Louise And Shaman, Durek Verrett

Royal families are no strangers to scandals, controversies, and headline-making romances. From Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's dramatic exit from the British Royal family to Japan's Princess Mako, who gave up her title for love, royal love stories often test the balance between tradition and rule-defying love.

Norway, a country known for its quiet, modest monarchy, faced its own media storm when Princess, Martha Louise fell in love with Durek Verrett, an American self-proclaimed shaman whose larger-than-life personality clashed with Norway's understated values. The romance has now been adapted in Netflix's Rebel Royals: An Unlikely Love Story and has become one of the most talked-about royal love stories in recent European history. Let's have a look at the real love story behind the Netflix documentary.

Who is Durek Verrett, the Hollywood shaman?

Durek Verrett rose to prominence in Hollywood as a spiritual healer and shaman to the stars. His client list includes Gwyneth Paltrow and Nina Dobrev and he gained even more recognition with his 2019 book, Spirit Hacking: Shamanic Keys to Reclaim Your Personal Power, Transform Yourself, and Light Up the World. With nearly 500,000 Instagram followers and a reputation for charging USD 1,500 a session, Durek has become immensely famous as the 'shaman for the people.'

In Rebel Royals, Durek describes himself as 'soul-sexual,' meaning his attraction is based on souls rather than gender. His unapologetically bold lifestyle and spiritual practices stood in stark contrast to the Norwegian concept of janteloven, which is a cultural code that emphasises humility, conformity, and equality. This was also one of the reasons which amplified the public's hate toward his and Martha's relationship.

Martha Louise's royal and clairvoyant world

Princess Martha Louise, the only daughter of King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway, has long had an unconventional life for a royal family member. She claims to be clairvoyant and believes she can communicate with angels and the spirits of the dead. In 2018, she founded Astarte Education, often dubbed the 'angel school,' where she teaches others to connect with the spiritual world.

This shared belief of Martha and Durek in the alternative spirituality formed the foundation of their relationship. When they met in 2018, both said they instantly felt as if they had known each other in some another life, he recalled her presence beside him on a throne in ancient Egypt.

Martha Louise and Durek Verrett's romance came with a lot of controversies 

The couple announced their relationship publicly on Instagram without consulting royal advisors, which resulted into a media frenzy. Durek's first visit to Norway was overshadowed by headlines questioning his motives, with critics accusing him of trying to climb into the monarchy. Some tabloids even spread rumours of blackmail. Durek asked permission from King Harald and Queen Sonja to propose, he eventually received their blessing but not before fueling further speculation that he wanted to use Martha's royal status for his personal gain.

Durek Verrett had to face racism and a lot of public scrutiny for dating Martha Louise

The backlash intensified as the relationship between Durek and Martha grew more and more serious. He became the subject of scrutiny both online and in the media. Much of it was rooted in racism, if Durek were to marry Martha, he would have been the first Black man to marry into a European royal family. After Meghan Markle's 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, concerns grew that Norway's monarchy will soon face similar accusations of discrimination. However, in contrast to the British royals, King Harald released a strong statement in 2022 condemning the racist treatment Durek had endured.

Despite this, Norwegian tabloids continued their scrutiny and backlash. Durek's past interviews, in which he claimed to be part reptile and andromedan, and spoke openly about his sex life, were resurfaced. He faced criticism for selling a medallion he said cured him of COVID-19, and voicemails that alleged inappropriate conduct during his healing sessions were leaked. However, Durek has denied all the allegations and took legal action.

The public turned against Durek Verrett and Martha Louise

Polls cited in Rebel Royals showed that 60% of Norwegians believed Durek's actions had reduced trust in the royal family. Under increasing public pressure, Martha Louise stepped down from her official royal duties in 2022, distancing her private life from her public role. Her decision raised the question of who would fund her wedding, as royal weddings are typically paid by taxpayer's money. Instead, Durek and Martha chose a private ceremony, financed through exclusive rights sold to HELLO! Magazine.

Durek Verrett and Martha Louise had a wedding in Geiranger

The couple consulted spirits to select their wedding date, and chose August 31, 2024, as it aligned with their astrological beliefs that Virgo and Scorpio would merge with Venus on the day. The ceremony took place in the breathtaking fjords of Geiranger, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and historic Viking landing spot. Though Martha had stepped back from royal duties, her family, including King Harald and Queen Sonja attended the wedding.

Durek Verrett and Martha Louise's relationship faced a cultural clash: Janteloven vs. Hollywood spirit

One of the most fascinating layers of this story was the clash of cultural values. Norway's small population of 5.5 million adheres strongly to janteloven, where humility and equality are prized above self-promotion and individualism. In contrast, Durek embodies American ideals of individuality, confidence, and openness about personal identity. His flamboyant style and bold claims did not sit well with Norwegian public, making his acceptance even more difficult. The documentary highlights this tension, showing how cross-cultural differences can amplify media narratives and public opinion in high-profile relationships.

Durek Verrett and Martha Louise's life after the wedding

Despite relentless criticism, Martha Louise and Durek Verrett remain united. They celebrated their one-year anniversary in 2025, and have continued to build their shared life while balancing their public and private identities. After choosing to step away from official royal duties, Martha had the freedom to live authentically, while for Durek, marrying into a royal family has been both a dream and a trial. Their story challenges the traditional narrative of what it means to be royal in the 21st century.

The lasting impact of Rebel Royals

Netflix's Rebel Royals gives an insight into the shifting dynamics of European royalties, the weight of tradition, and the personal costs royal family members face for breaking these boundaries. Just as Meghan and Harry's story reshaped world's view of the British monarchy, Martha Louise and Durek Verrett's journey has sparked debates in Norway about diversity, inclusion, and what the royal family should represent.

Martha Louise and Durek Verrett's love story may be unconventional, but it's undeniably historic and one that challenged many existing norms.

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