The Princess and the Shaman: an incredible love story

This is the story of a remarkable romance in the world of royalty and showbiz. Princess Märtha Louise of Norway is deeply in love with Durek Verrett, a Shaman and healer of the stars.

(Image: Tamron Hall show, ABC)

The past few years weren't easy for the princess. Her most important ex-partner and the father of her children, Ari Behn, took his own life in December 2019. Earlier that year, she'd presented her new boyfriend to the world, which had been somewhat of a controversy.

Märtha Louise, daughter of the King of Norway, was born in September 1971 and is nearing her 50th year. She has been rebuilding her life since the divorce from Ari Behn in 2016.

The Princess and the Danish-Norwegian writer had married in 2002 and raised three children: Maud, Leah and Emma. After 14 years of marriage, the couple divorced in August 2016.

Ari Behn was a troubled man, both during and after the divorce. On Christmas 2019, he took his own life - a most tragic event for the Norwegian royal family. Märtha Louise had always remained close with her ex-husband.

After her divorce, the Princess had not dated for a while. However, in 2019, Märtha Louise announced her relationship and engagement to Durek Verrett on Instagram. She uploaded a few photos with her fiancé and suggested he was her 'soul mate.'

After she had announced her relationship with Shaman Durek, Märtha Louise expected a ton of criticism. She wrote in her Instagram post: "I do not choose my partner to satisfy you nor the watertight rules or compartments that you have chosen in your mind for me to be."

How this remarkable relationship began, is not known. There are photos of them together in November 2018. Apparently, the couple kept their love a secret until they began a conference tour in Norway in the summer of 2019  - which forced them to make the relationship public.

Durek is 45 years old. The son of a Norwegian-Indian and African-Haitian couple, he was born in Sacramento, California. At the age of 14, he moved to New York City and then to Los Angeles.

Shaman Durek is an 'innovative, evolutionary leader of women's empowerment and human rights activist.' Or, at least, this is how he defines himself on social media.

Durek revealed in a 'Times' interview that he suffered kidney failure when he was 27. It caused a near-death experience. The Shaman recalls: 'I went to the other side. It taught me what we are, where we come from, how all this works and how we complicate everything."'

(Image: Tamron Hall show, ABC)

In Los Angeles, he developed a career as an emotional coach, meditation teacher, author of books on shamanism, and a salesman of the different products that come with his activities.

Durek Verrett is known as the 'Shaman of the stars'. His clients include actresses Nina Dobrev and Rosario Dawson.

Actress Gwyneth Paltrow is also a client of Durek and one of his best friends. In fact, in the summer of 2019, the princess, the shaman and the actress were together on a vacation.

Before meeting Märtha Louise, Durek had an eight-year relationship with masseur Hank Greenberg. They think back of their love in different ways. Hank says he has nothing pleasant to say about Durek, while the Shaman refers to his relationship as 'a wonderful experience'.

The Norwegian princess has always stood out for her sensitive personality and a special gift she possesses: communicating with angels and horses.

In fact, in 2007 she opened her own paranormal school in the city of Los Angeles. It closed in 2019.

In addition to having her own school, the Norwegian princess has practiced all sorts of professions. Märtha Louise has been a physiotherapist, singer, writer, and also a teacher of parapsychology.

Durek Verrett and the Princess of Norway share a worldview and a love for the spiritual. They feel an unconditional love for each other.

(Image: Tamron Hall show, ABC)

The couple toured through Norway to give lectures under the title 'The Princess and the Shaman'. They helped attendees make a journey 'to the mysteries of life' and to contact 'their inner strength'.

And that's where the controversy began. When she announced the 'Princess and the Shaman' tour, Märtha Louise got heavy criticism for using her royal title for commercial purposes. She then conceded that she would not use the princess title in a commercial context anymore.

She will continue to hold the title of princess when she represents the royal house of Norway. The businesswoman and the Princess will therefore be two separate lives for Märtha Louise.

In May 2019, Märtha Louise introduced her new boyfriend to her parents, King Harold and Queen Sonia. She has not revealed anything about their reaction, but Durek says they are 'charming and incredible.' The meeting was 'the most beautiful experience of my life,' he adds.

Now that their relationship is public, the Norwegian princess talks wonders about her new love: 'When you meet your soulmate, you know it. I've been lucky enough to find mine.' She says Durek changed her life. 'It made me realize that unconditional love really exists on this planet.'

In the summer of 2020, Märtha Louise shared stories about her experiences with depression on Instagram (@iam_marthalouise). In addition, she told her followers  that she and Durek receive many racist comments about their mixed relationship.

The Princess is very engaged with the Black Lives Matter movement and the global protests against racism. 'Being @shamandurek ‘s girlfriend has given me a crash course in how white supremacy is at play and the way I have consciously and subconsciously thought of and acted towards black people,' she posted in June 2020.

At the end of the day, with all the hardships Märtha Louise and her family have endured, she continues to receive the support of friends and a loving partner.