Crown Prince Haakon of Norway has spoken out for the first time since the release of his sister’s controversial Netflix documentary.
Earlier this month, Martha Louise, 54, and her husband, American ‘shaman’ Durek Verrett,50, fronted their much-anticipated exposé Rebel Royals: An Unlikely Love Story, which follows the run-up to their wedding in the idyllic fjords of Geiranger last summer.
The couple – known for their alternative beliefs, such as claiming they met in a past life inEgypt– havesince beenaccused of‘breaching’ the agreement made with the royal house.
The agreement stated thatneither the princess nor Durek Verrett would use her former title or their connection to the royal family in commercial activities, including media productions.
But footage in the filmfeatured a conversation between Crown Prince Haakon and the Shaman, despite royals requesting not to be filmed during the wedding, Hello! reported. The clip has since been removed at the palace’s request.
In light of the dispute, Prince Haakon, 52, has now broken his silence, telling the Norwegian publication, Se og Hør, that there wasn’t a ‘good enough distinction’ made between the Royal House and the Netflix project.
Asked his thoughts on the series on Tuesday, he said: ‘I think I should refrain from judging it, but unfortunately I do not think that there is a good enough distinction between the activities of the Royal House and the project and the commercial side of Princess Märtha Louise and Durek Verrett’s activities.’
Speaking of the agreement made in 2022, he also said that there would be ‘something to build on’ – a sentiment that was echoed by the Norwegian palace last week.
Crown Prince Haakon of Norway has spoken out for the first time since the release of his sister’s controversial Netflix documentary (seen withCrown Princess Mette-Marit in October last year)
The Norwegian Family’s communications manager Guri Varpe told NRK: ‘All people should have the right to tell their story. This also applies to Princess Märtha Louise and Durek Verrett. At the same time, the Royal House wants a clearer distinction between the activities of Princess Märtha Louise and Durek Verrett and the Royal House. This will be the topic of the conversations we will have in the future.
Varpe added: ‘When we were made aware that a clip of the Crown Prince from the wedding celebration had been used, we contacted the director and requested that the clip be removed.
‘As is known, the Royal House has reserved its right not to be filmed for this production in situations where other press did not have access. The clip has now been removed.’
PrinceHaakon said that despite there being ‘a bit of a challenge’, both parties would have ‘to try to figure it out’, confirming that talks were underway to resolve the dispute.
It comes after the news that Haakon’s stepson, the son of his wife, PrincessMette-Marit, was charged with 32 offences, including four counts of rape against different women.
Following news of Martha Louise’s dispute with the palace, on Monday night, Durek appeared to backtrack on several of his comments in a lengthy Instagram statement, insisting his words had been ‘twisted by the media’.
Durek had also appeared to make several heated claims against his in-laws, Norway’s King Harald Vand Queen Sonja, saying they did ‘nothing to help me’ against offensive coverage in the Press, including when a publication used a racial slur against him.
He said members of the Norwegian Royal family would ‘look at me like I was crazy when I said there was racism’, and only began to listen after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle did their interview with Oprahin 2021.
In light of the dispute, Prince Haakon, 52, (pictured left with his sister, Princess Victoria) has now broken his silence, telling the Norwegian publication, Se og Hør, that there wasn’t a ‘good enough distinction’ made between the Royal House and the Netflix project
But in a lengthy statement, the Shaman appeared to retract his comments and said he’d never intended to imply allegations of racism.
He said: ‘What I said in theNetflix documentary about my father-in-law [the King] not knowing racism has been twisted by the media. Let me be clear about what I meant.
‘In American culture when we say someone does not know racism it often means they have not experienced it in the same way we have or they do not understand the depth of its impact. It does not mean they are ignorant or unkind. It means their lived experience is different. Cultural language does not always translate the same way.
‘I love my father-in-law and my mother-in-law deeply. We have a strong and respectful relationship. They have supported me and my wife through everything and we share great love and understanding.
‘I am not a victim and I am not interested in playing one. I am an educator and my focus is always on love and lifting humanity higher. The media may twist words to create a story but the truth is simple. My family and I stand together in respect and love and that is what matters most.’
Speaking to the camera, he added that he had only meant his in-laws didn’t understand the ‘impact that racism plays on my life in years of coming back and forth to Norway’.
He insisted that ‘I love my in-laws and I appreciate them’, referencing an official statement against racism the royal house had made on his behalf – calling it ‘huge’ and a ‘sign of progressiveness in this family’.
The Shaman was referencing a statement made by the King condemning the ‘racist attitudes’ he had endured in 2022.
Princess Martha Louise of Norway and her husband, controversial American ‘shaman’ Durek Verrett, have found themselves in hot water following the release of their Netflix documentary Rebel Royals (pictured)
King Harald said at the time: ‘We are also concerned about being able to live well together, despite inequality. The racist attitudes Durek Verrett has been subjected to, especially on social media, we strongly oppose. It is a strength that the Royal Family reflects the ethnic diversity that exists in Norway.’
Since the release of Rebel Royals, the couple have also been accused of ‘breaching’ the official agreement made with the royal family when Princess Martha stepped down from senior duties in 2022.
One clause in the agreement stated: ‘They will not employ the title of Princess or refer to members of the Royal House in their social media channels, in media productions or in connection with other commercial activities.’
In a statement following the backlash, Princess Martha and Durek said: ‘We recognise the seriousness of this situation and the importance of safeguarding the integrity of the agreement going forward. In retrospect, there are undoubtedly things we wish we had handled differently.
‘Our focus now is to take responsibility and ensure that we move forward in a constructive manner.’
They added that they would not be taking ‘questions’ from the press in case it would be considered a ‘breach’ of the agreement.
Speaking at the Nordic Archive Days conference just hours after the release of the documentary, Princess Mette-Marit said she ‘certainly’ thought it would be discussed by those at the Palace, though admitted she ‘hadn’t decided’ whether to watch it herself.
The couple have previously been accused of using their titles for commercial gain.
He insisted that he ‘loves’ his in-laws, King Harald and Queen Sonja of Norway
Shaman Durek released a statement last night, insisting his words had been ‘twisted’ by the media
Prior to the wedding last year,Martha Louise used her ‘princess’ name commercially – despite agreeing not to – to sell gins and promote her clothing brand.
During the docuseries, the Hollywood shaman took a jab at royal protocol, claimed he was often bored at royal events because conversation was ‘flat’, and fundamentally disagreed with the Norwegian way of life.
He foundMartha’s parents ‘hated my clothes’ after he showed up to their first meeting wearing a ‘kimono and cowboy boots’.
‘I mean, pretty much everything I did was wrong,’ he said ‘And they would always let Märtha know that I was wrong.’
Durek did not feel accepted by his future in-laws, as he said: ‘It wasn’t like, “Oh, welcome to our family. We love you. We get you.”
‘It was like, “Why are you with this guy?” Durek continued.
He said his in-laws ‘would do nothing to help me’ against offensive coverage, including when a publication used a racial slur in a story about Durek.
‘And it was only when Harry and Meghan went into the press with Oprah did I get a message from the King saying, “Do you feel that we treated you the same way?”
When Märtha’s engagement to the Los Angeles-based spiritual healer was announced in June 2022, the princess faced mounting pressure to renounce her title after Durek’s ‘controversial’ beliefs were revealed
The indulgent documentary follows the couple, who got married in the picturesque Norwegian village Geiranger last August, as they ‘navigate a swirl of controversy’ while preparing for their nuptials
‘When I said yes, they were like, “Okay we need to have a family discussion.”
‘And, of course, my family was like “They don’t want to have a discussion because they don’t want to treat you that way. They want to have a family discussion ’cause they’re afraid you might be the next one on Oprah.”‘
Meghan Markle accused the Royal Family of racism during the tell-all after she and husband Prince Harry quit The Firm and relocated to Montecito, California.
After their meeting with Durek, King Harald released a statement condemning the ‘racist attitudes’ he had endured – as Prince Harry praised the monarch for ‘leading by example’.
The documentary follows the couple, who got married in the picturesque Norwegian village Geiranger last August, as they ‘navigate a swirl of controversy’ while preparing for their nuptials.
The documentary included footage of Durek looking bored at a Belgian equestrian event attended by Princess Astrid, as he admitted it was ‘awkward’ adjusting to Martha’s life.
Durek rolled his eyes while revealing he could never tell whether to call someone as ‘Your Royal Highness’ or ‘Your Majesty’ – and was even corrected by Belgium’s princess when he addressed her incorrectly.
‘I quite admire your fashion sense, Your Majesty,’ he told Astrid, before she curtly replied: ‘Your Royal Highness.’
Rebel Royals: An Unlikely Love Story takes an ‘intimate look’ at the love story between and Märtha, 53, and the ‘half-reptilian and bisexual’ shaman in a production that makes Harry and Meghan seem tame
He criticised the ‘controlled’ atmosphere at royal gatherings where attendees are expected to have certain ‘mannerisms’ as Durek said: ‘There’s no slouching, you can’t slouch in your chair.’
In seemingly disparaging remarks, he added: ‘The conversations are not nuanced at all, it’s very flat.’
In comments that appeared to echo Meghan’s sentiments about becoming a royal, Durek continued: ‘And so how do I be myself but also blend in with her life as a princess?’
Meghan, who married Prince Harry in 2018, has similarly spoken about being baffled by royal protocol in her interview with Oprah in March 2020.
The former Suits actress admitted she didn’t know she had to curtsy to the late Queen Elizabeth II after being introduced for the first time.
The Duchess of Sussex, 44, also revealed she was informally dressed in ‘ripped jeans’ when she met the Prince and Princess of Wales for the first time.
In Netflix’s Harry & Meghan, she said: ‘They came over for dinner, I remember I was in ripped jeans and I was barefoot. I was a hugger, I’ve always been a hugger, I didn’t realise that is really jarring for a lot of Brits.’
Meghan explained that she quickly discovered that the royals’ ‘forward-facing way of being’ in public ‘carries over on both sides’.
Durek added members of the Norwegian Royal family would ‘look at me like I was crazy when I said there was racism’ in the new show that was released today
Elsewhere in Rebel Royals, Durek revealed he was adamant he wanted a royal wedding ‘because I’m going to be a royal’.
The Shaman also asked his bride-to-be if he would have his own make-up artist for the wedding, explaining that he wanted his pictures to be ‘popping’.
WhenMartha’s engagement to the Los Angeles-based spiritual healer was announced in June 2022, the princess faced mounting pressure to renounce her title after Durek’s ‘controversial’ beliefs were revealed.
Months later, King Harald announced his daughter would not represent the Royal household in any form, after the mother-of-three initially stepped down as a working royal in 2019.
Although the monarch allowed Princess Märtha Louise to retain her royal title, he father reiterated that she will not be allowed to use it in any future commercial partnerships with Durek.
Durek faced swift backlash after he claimed cancer is a choice and promoted several unfounded medical practices, including selling a $222 Spirit Optimizer medallion that he claimed helped him overcome Covid-19.
Last year, Durek made headlines after he was accused of assaulting Swedish father-of-two JoachimBoström in one of his ‘spiritual sessions. Durek has strenuously denied the claims, which he says were later dropped.
This was after he admitted he ‘made a mistake’ in sessions with five of his clients in audio recordings obtained by Norwegian newspaper Se og Hør.
In the three voice messages, Verrett reveals he performed oral sex on one of his male clients after their session and helped a woman ‘clean’ her vagina after she had ‘violent’ sex with her partner.
Martha-Louise and Durek were introduced by friends in 2019 and have claimed to have known each other in a past life, specifically from the days of ancient Egypt.
Eyebrows were raised when the Princess first began dating Durek, who holds some controversial and pseudoscientific views, including that cancer in children can be caused by ‘being unhappy’.
In an interview with the BBC last year, Martha-Louise praised her parents, King Harald and Queen Sonja, for keeping the dialogue open while she made her decision and they worked out the details about how the arrangements would work.
When asked about her decision in comparison with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who also stepped down as senior royals, she spoke about her ‘amazing’ family, including King Harald and Queen Sonja, and how the dialogue between them has always remained open.
The Princess said she decided she wanted to ‘earn my own money’ which she could only do by giving up her ‘money from the state’ and paying taxes for the first time in her life.
After giving up her position in the royal family, the Princess revealed she has had to deal with ‘lots of scrutiny’ – particularly when she takes on new roles.
‘Everything you do that’s a first, that goes out of the box that you’re put in,’ she said, adding that press scrutiny has ‘continued’.
She added that, in Norway, spiritual beliefs like the ones she holds are ‘taboo’.
Her comments echoed an interview she gave on Swedish TV in March, in which she claimed she had ‘received the most criticism of anyone in Norway’ for her beliefs.
As she sat down with Anna Hedenmo on Min Sanning – which translates to My Truth – the royal said she felt she needed to step back because of public image.
She said: ‘I am probably the one in Norway who has received the most criticism of all, I think.’
