Why Princess Märtha Louise of Norway’s title may get stripped, like the Danish royals: King Harald V and Queen Sonja had ‘crisis meetings’ amid her fiancé shaman Durek Verrett’s controversial comments

• After Denmark's Queen Margrethe stripped the royal titles from four of her grandkids, news has surfaced that Norway's Princess MArtha Louise may suffer the same fate
• She's engaged to Hollywood spiritual guru Durek Verrett, who has Gwyneth Paltrow as a fan, but he's in hot water for his comments on cancer, Covid-19 and the royal family

Will Princess MArtha Louise of Norway, 51, suffer the same fate as Queen Margrethe of Denmark's four grandkids, who were recently stripped of their royal titles?

According to Danish tabloid Se og Hør in early October, Norway's King Harald V and Queen Sonja have had "crisis meetings" as the king is considering removing MArtha Louise's princess title. The decision in question comes after the royal's fiance, American shaman Durek Verrett, 47, made headlines for his controversial statements. MArtha Louise is currently fourth in line to the throne.

So what happened? Here's what we know about the issue ...

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It started with congratulations and kind regards ...

© Provided by South China Morning Post Princess MArtha Louise of Norway and her fiance, American shaman Durek Verrett. Photo: @iam_marthalouise/Instagram

It was only in June when MArtha Louise and her fiance had spoken of the latter's good relations with the Danish royal family as they announced their engagement the same month. As reported on Hola!, Verrett disclosed via an Instagram live video that he has "built such a lovely relationship" with his future in-laws.

Princess MArtha Louise has three kids from her first marriage to Ari Behn, whom she divorced in 2017 before his tragic death two years later.

© Provided by South China Morning Post Princess MArtha Louise of Norway and her fiance, American shaman Durek Verrett; the princess' new lover said he got along with the royal family initially. Photo: @iam_marthalouise/Instagram

"I'm not gonna lie and say like in the beginning it wasn't kind of bumpy because you're having this shaman, bisexual, black man coming into your family," he is quoted in the report. But that apparently changed over the years. He added, "I have a great relationship with the royal family".

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Likewise, a message of congratulations was posted on the royal house website following their engagement announcement.

... until the crown prince confirmed talks about his sister's royal title

© Provided by South China Morning Post Princess MArtha Louise of Norway has three daughters. Photo: @iam_marthalouise/Instagram

Royal Central recently reported that Haakon, the Crown Prince of Norway had confirmed that there were ongoing debates regarding his sister's title.

"This is a topic I find difficult," the Crown Prince Haakon told the press. He mentions having met Verrett "on many occasions" and wanting him "to feel welcome in our family".

© Provided by South China Morning Post Princess MArtha Louise of Norway and her fiance, American shaman Durek Verrett, announced their engagement in June. Photo: @iam_marthalouise/Instagram

However, he likewise feels "very responsible for the institution", citing controversial things that have been said and done that have "caused quite a bit of discussion".

The popular Hollywood spiritual guru, who counts Gwyneth Paltrow and Antonio Banderas as fans, has been scrutinised for numerous comments, from suggesting cancer is a choice to criticising the royal family for being racist.

"White people write all this hate and death threats to us and all this stuff for being together because ... they don't want to see a black man in the royal family," he said in a video posted to Instagram on June 9.

The crown prince also insinuated that arriving at a final decision may take a bit more time.

What do the Norwegian people think?

© Provided by South China Morning Post Durek Verrett is a 47-year-old American shaman. Photo: @shamandurek/Instagram

Recent reports from Norwegian press outlet Dagbladet stated that the people are "turning their backs" on MArtha Louise. This can be attributed to the population's distrust in Verrett's statements. They are also questioning why MArtha Louise isn't doing or saying anything about it.

© Provided by South China Morning Post Public opinion polls in Norway are voting against Princess MArtha Louise staying in the royal family. Photo: @iam_marthalouise/Instagram

Dagbladet also conducted a survey that concluded with 59.3 per cent of respondents preferring MArtha Louise to give up her title. Last month, an opinion poll initiated by another local outlet, NRK, revealed that the majority wanted MArtha Louise to "stop representing the royal house".

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The king has also spoken ...

© Provided by South China Morning Post Norway's King Harald speaks at a garden party in Palace Park, Oslo, Norway, in September 2016. Photo: Reuters

In August, King Harald spoke about his future son-in-law, addressing one of his controversial statements for the first time, per Royal Central. Verrett had recently claimed that he'd recovered from Covid-19 with the help of a medallion, which he sells on his website for US$200, according to the same report. In turn, King Harald stressed the country's "excellent health system", which he says Verrett has benefitted from.

© Provided by South China Morning Post Princess MArtha Louise of Norway and her fiance, self-professed shaman Durek Verrett, arrive at Oslo's main library, in Oslo, Norway, on June 16. Photo: AFP

Finally, the royal said, "it is the culture collision we are now noticing", adding that they are in talks with Verrett, as families do, while he learns the royal ropes. The Norwegian king added that while he believes that things will "work out" there are no promises that "it will be resolved tomorrow".

The royal title dilemma

© Provided by South China Morning Post Crown Prince Haakon, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, Queen Sonja and King Harald of Norway wave from the balcony during National Day celebrations at the Royal Palace in Oslo, Norway, in May 2018. Photo: AFP

The Norwegian royal title dilemma follows after the Danish royals changed titles. In September, the Danish royal house announced that, come 2023, per the decision of Queen Margrethe, "His Royal Highness Prince Joachim's descendants can only use their titles as counts and countess of Monpezat."

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This means that the queen's grandchildren, Prince Nikolai, 23, Prince Felix, 20, Prince Henrik, 13, and Princess Athena, 10, will no longer be referred to as princes and princesses from next year.

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