The 51-year-old princess, who is fourth in line to the Norwegian throne, got engaged in June to Durek Veret, an American who describes himself as a shaman and healer on his website. At least one institution for which Märtha Louise served as patron subsequently ended its connection with the princess. “I have decided that at this time I will no longer perform official duties for the royal household,” she said in a statement issued by the palace, adding that the decision was made in coordination with her parents “to create peace around the royal household.” The princess will retain her title, but the palace said it had informed the organizations where she still served as patron that she was stepping down from the role. Her younger brother, Crown Prince Haakon, 49, is heir to the throne. “I am sorry that the princess will no longer represent the royal house,” Harald said during a press conference on the matter. The 82-year-old king said “we agree to disagree”. “We have looked at this process from all sides,” added his wife, Queen Sonia. “This was a unanimous decision.” Harald said Veret “probably thought he could do anything without it affecting us.” “It also has to take into account what we stand for,” Sonja said. The palace statement said the couple would “clarify the distinction between their own activities and those of the royal household” and would not use the title of princess or refer to members of the royal family on social media or in commercial activity. Bo Glenditch, secretary general of the Norwegian Rheumatism Association, told Norwegian news agency NTB that it was “a regular and wise decision by our patron”. “She has resolved this on her own initiative, and that is good,” Gleditsch told NTB. Norwegian media accused Märtha Louise and Verrett of allegedly using her royal title for commercial gain along with promoting alternative health care methods. On Instagram, Märtha Louise said “I believe that alternative methods can be an important supplement to conventional medicine.” Verrett, 47, will not hold a title or represent the Norwegian royal house when he marries Märtha Louise, according to the statement. The couple, who have been together since May 2019, according to Norwegian media, will attend family-related events and traditional royal events. Märtha Louise has three daughters from her first marriage, which ended in 2016. According to Norwegian media, she plans to move to California with them. The palace did not say whether the change for Märtha Louise would have any effect on her daughters. Alongside her royal duties, the princess has written books in which she claimed to have had contact with angels. A poll published by Norway’s Dagbladet newspaper last month had 68% of respondents saying they wanted to keep the monarchy. When Norwegian broadcaster NRK asked the same question in 2017, support for the royal house was 81%.
This story corrects Märtha Louise’s age to 51 and corrects that Crown Prince Haakon is her younger, not older, brother.
