Norway is gearing up for a royal wedding later this month as Crown Prince Haakon’s older sister, Princess Martha Louise, prepares to marry her fiancé, Durek Verrett.
Martha, 52, and Durek, 49, a self-proclaimed shaman, will exchange vows during a three-day celebration in western Norway, surrounded by the Norwegian royal family and their closest loved ones.
The Engagement
“I am so happy to announce that I am engaged to Shaman Durek, the one who makes my heart skip, the one who sees me and acknowledges me from my highest potential, who makes me laugh and who I can be vulnerable with,” Martha wrote on Instagram.
“Love transcends and makes us grow. And I am so happy to continue to grow with this beautiful man. Thank you to all my friends and family who have stood steadfast by our side and special thanks to @hegecfossum and @stargatemusic for your generosity and making our day truly special. @babak_golkar and @max_bouchard.”
The Wedding Date
“Durek Verrett and I are pleased to announce that our upcoming wedding will take place at the historic Hotel Union in Geiranger on 31 August 2024,” she wrote on Instagram, alongside another cosy photo of herself and Durek.
The Three-Day Itinerary
The big day is scheduled for Saturday 31 August, although festivities will kick off on the preceding Thursday. Guests will be brought by shuttle from the nearest airport, Ålesund Airport, to the hotels that the bride and groom have block-booked in the area.
On the first day of the celebration on Thursday, a meet-and-greet party – with a “sexy and cool” dress code – will take place in the garden of Hotel 1904 in the heart of Ålesund city.
On Friday, guests will enjoy a boat trip along the Geiranger Fjord to Geiranger village, after which a Latin American-themed pre-wedding party will be held at the venue, Hotel Union.
The main event on Saturday will centre around the ceremony, followed by the wedding breakfast and reception at the hotel.
Leading the wedding proceedings is parish priest Margit Lovise Holte, who will marry the couple. Pastor Michael B. Beckwith, who has appeared on oprah Winfrey’s Super Soul podcast, will give a greeting.
The Spectacular Venue
“We are incredibly happy to be able to celebrate our love in Geiranger’s beautiful surroundings,” she wrote. “It means a lot to us to gather our loved ones in a place that is so rich in history and intense nature experiences. Geiranger is the perfect place to embrace our love.”
The ceremony will take place at the historic Hotel Union in Geiranger village. The four-star hotel boasts a spa, three restaurants, indoor and outdoor pools, its own nightclub, and even a vintage car museum.
The Guests
“What has been amazing through this whole cycle has been the conversations we’ve all had through it all,” Martha previously told the BBC after stepping down from her royal duties.
“From a very young age, I remember my mum and dad saying we have to stick together, we have to talk things through even if it’s hard, we have to put all the cards on the table because we are family, and we have to work things through all the turmoil.”
The Bride’s Dress and Jewels
The bride’s gown and jewels have been kept strictly under wraps, although Martha has likely asked a local designer to create her wedding look. For her first wedding to her late ex-husband Ari Behn in 2002, she opted for a simple sleeveless gown layered with a Swarovski crystal-encrusted coat dress by Norwegian designer Wenche Lyche.
The princess may also opt to wear a tiara at her upcoming wedding, just as she did 22 years ago. Back then she wore a family heirloom, the replica of Queen Maud’s Pearl Tiara. The original, which belonged to Märtha’s great-grandmother Queen Maud of Norway, was stolen in the nineties.
The Dress Code
As befits a royal wedding, the occasion will be a glamorous affair, with female guests encouraged to dress in long ball gowns. They have been strongly requested not to wear white.
Male guests are also bound to look smart, having been asked to wear tuxedos to the event.
