Copenhagen, Denmark — Princess Märtha Louise, the daughter of Norway’s King Harald, said Tuesday she’ll no longer officially represent the Norwegian royal house following “many questions relating to me and my fiancé’s role.”
The 50-year-old princess, who’s fourth in line to the Norwegian throne, got engaged in June to Durek Verrett, an American who describes himself as a shaman and a healer on his website. At least one foundation for which Märtha Louise served as a patron subsequently ended its connection with the princess. “I have decided that at the present time I will no longer carry out 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 she informed the organizations where she still served as patron that she was relinquishing the role, which provided a framework for her official duties. Bo Gleditsch, secretary-general of the Norwegian Rheumatism Association told Norwegian news agency NTB it was “an orderly and wise decision from our patron.” The association had been considering ending its collaboration with Märtha Louise because of her engagement.
“She has resolved this on her own initiative, and that’s good,” Gleditsch told NTB. Norwegian media have accused Märtha Louise and Verrett of using her royal title for commercial gain along with promoting alternative health care methods. The palace statement said the couple would “clarify the distinction between their own activities and the royal household” and won’t use the title of princess or refer to royals in social media or commercial activity. Verrett won’t have a title or represent Norway’s royal house when he and Märtha Louise marry, according to the statement. The pair, who’ve been together since May 2019, according to Norwegian media, will attend family-related occasions and events where it’s a tradition for royals to participate.
Märtha Louise has three daughters from her first marriage, which ended in 2016. According to Norwegian media, she plans to relocate to California with them. Alongside her royal duties, the princess has written books in which she claimed to have contact with angels. Her older brother, Crown Prince Haakon, is the heir to the throne. 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 stood at 81%.
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