Controversial Wedding in Progress – Girlfriend Steals the Spotlight

This year's party is underway in Norway – and Sweden's crown princess is in attendance. Tomorrow, Princess Märtha Louise will meet her American "shaman" Durek Verrett in Geiranger. The wedding is scandal-ridden.

» Updated: September 18 2024

» Published: August 30 2024

Controversial Wedding in Progress – Girlfriend Steals the Spotlight
Photo: Heiko Junge/NTB/TT

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The celebration already started on Thursday evening with a welcome party in Ålesund, to then continue towards Geiranger by boat on Friday.

The princess and her fiancé – like Crown Prince Haakon with his family – smiled and greeted spectators when they arrived at the quay in Ålesund early Friday afternoon.

Sweden's Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel have also arrived in Ålesund together with Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia, reports the newspaper Dagbladet.

Sold amulet against covid

In Norwegian press, however, it's not the bridal couple that has received the most attention so far. Instead, it's the woman who has been seen hand in hand with 18-year-old Prince Sverre Magnus, number three in the Norwegian line of succession, who has received the most headlines on Friday.

According to Norwegian Aftenposten, the prince's girlfriend Amalie Gievær MacLeod is 17 years old.

The wedding is not seen as entirely unproblematic in Norway, not least since the 49-year-old groom has a history of controversial statements and spreading conspiracy theories.

During the covid pandemic, the self-proclaimed shaman, among other things, urged his followers to skip vaccines and conventional care – and instead cure the disease with an amulet he sold for around 2,000 Norwegian kronor.

The King pays

Märtha Louise has relinquished her royal duties, but in a recent survey, a majority of Norwegians believe she should also give up her princess title.

The royal family has also recently been in trouble due to the circumstances surrounding Mette-Marit's son from a previous marriage, Marius Borg Høiby, who is being investigated for, among other things, assaulting his girlfriend. He will not attend the wedding, according to the Norwegian court.

King Harald and Queen Sonja are reportedly paying for the four-day-long wedding with their private funds.

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By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

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