Durek Verrett, a shaman from California, recently married Princess Märtha Louise of Norway in a touching ceremony covered by HELLO! magazine. Despite his marriage to a Norwegian princess, Durek did not receive a royal title. This is because men who marry into the Norwegian royal family do not typically receive royal titles and are not expected to perform royal duties. The decision was confirmed after their engagement in 2022, with a statement from the royal palace clarifying that Durek would become part of the Royal Family without a title or representation.
Interestingly, Princess Märtha Louise also made changes to her title following her engagement to Durek. In November 2022, she stepped back from official duties and dropped the ‘royal’ from her title. She now goes by Her Highness Princess Märtha Louise on the family’s official website. This decision was made in order to clearly differentiate between her personal activities and her relationship to the Royal House of Norway. As a result, she no longer represents her family on official business and had to relinquish her patronages.
Prior to proposing to Märtha Louise, Durek sought the blessing of King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway. In an exclusive pre-wedding interview with HELLO!, Durek shared that he values traditional courtship and views asking for Märtha’s hand in marriage as a sign of respect. After meeting with the royal couple and discussing his plans for the future, Durek received their blessing and approval to become part of the royal family. Märtha Louise also expressed her own agency in the decision, noting that her parents had waited nine years before marrying and always encouraged her to follow her heart.
The marriage of Durek Verrett and Princess Märtha Louise of Norway brings about changes in titles and responsibilities for both individuals. While Durek does not receive a royal title and is not expected to perform royal duties, Märtha Louise has made the decision to step back from official roles and redefine her title in order to distinguish her personal life from her ties to the Royal House of Norway. The couple’s mutual respect and approval from the King and Queen demonstrate a commitment to tradition and family values.
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