New Zealand Woman’s Weekly 13
GWYNETH, THE GURU AND
THE NORWEGIAN ROYALThe
wrap
up...
in love
P
rincess Märtha Louise of
Norway has never been
the most conventional of
royals – indeed, the Norwegian
royal family as a whole enjoy
a slightly more, er, spirited
approach to monarchy than
the good old-fashioned Brits.
But Märtha Louise (47) has
always taken the cake as the
most interesting member of
the Glücksburg clan – and
that was even before her new
dalliances with an American
shaman and a burgeoning
friendship with the Queen of
Goop, Gwyneth Paltrow (46).
The princess has raised many
eyebrows in Norway with her
revelation that she’s dating the
self-styled shaman and spiritual
healer Durek Verrett (44), a close
friend of Gwyneth’s, whom she
calls her “twin soul”. Her new
relationship comes after her
divorce from Ari Behn (46), the
father of her three daughters,
was finalised in 2017.
Märtha Louise and Durek, a
Californian native, have evenembarked on a tour
across Norway and
Denmark, talking about
spirituality, healing and
“the mysteries of life”.
However, the decision to
name the series of speaking
engagements as
“The Princess and
the Shaman” has
landed her in hot
water with her father
King Harald (82), who
admitted to local media
last week that the royal
court “is in dialogue” about
the commercial use of the
princess’ title.
This isn’t the first time Märtha
Louise’s less-than-conventional
views have made news in the
Scandinavian country. In 2002,
she was stripped of the title
Her Royal Highness following
discussions with her father as
she wanted more freedom and
to start a business.
After that, she made claims
that she could communicate
with animals and angels, andstarted a business in alternative
therapy called Astarte, where
students could learn how to
“create miracles”. She’s also an
expert in Norwegian folk tales.
While calls for her to give up
her title have come and gone
over the years, Märtha Louise
has remained defiant – “I’m a
princess. I’m born into it.”Princess
Durek says he
acts as “a bridge
between the
spiritual and
physical planes”.Märtha Louise and
Gwyneth both
adore the sixth-
generation shaman.Walking into a trap
door! Brad (left) and
Margot bailed Leo up
on that scene from
Titanic (below).
Baby-faced
Austin has
been cast as
rock royalty.