Real-Life Love
Are Princess Märtha Louise & Shaman Durek Verrett Still Together? Inside the ‘Rebel Royals’ Romance
The British royal family isn’t the only family with drama. The controversial love story between the King of Norway’s eldest child, Märtha Louise, and Durek Verrett takes center stage in the new Netflix documentary Rebel Royals: An Unlikely Love Story.
From the moment they met, Märtha and Durek’s relationship has been criticized and ridiculed. Märtha, a self-proclaimed clairvoyant, and her “shaman to the stars” love open up in the documentary over three and a half years about how they’ve navigated the controversies as they prepare for their wedding.
Given the drama surrounding their romance and the time between the filming of the documentary and its release, you might be wondering if Märtha and Durek are still together today. Swooon is answering all your burning questions about Märtha and Durek’s relationship, including details about how they met, their past marriages, and more.
Are Princess Märtha Louise and Shaman Durek Verrett still together?
Yes, Märtha and Durek are still together and very much in love. After getting married in 2024, they celebrated their one-year wedding anniversary on August 31.
“What a gift it is to share life with you,” Märtha wrote on Instagram. “And what a husband you are to whisk me away to the country of your heart, Türkiye, and to the breathtaking sanctuary of Ahãma @ahamaliving What a place it was, filled with peace, beauty, and the warmest people. Every moment felt like a blessing: the serenity of the mornings, the powerful spiritual practices, the golden sunsets on the water where we soaked in the very last rays of light. I cherished every single second with you by my side. You are my forever. I love you beyond the moon, beyond the stars, beyond this lifetime.”
Netflix
Durek responded in the comments, “You are my Sun, Moon, and Stars. I’m so happy you enjoyed your surprise anniversary, my beloved. Making you feel loved is everything to me. Forever yours.” With their 2024 wedding, Durek became the first Black man to marry into the European royal family.
After Märtha and Durek announced their engagement in 2022, there was a media firestorm in the lead-up to their wedding, especially regarding Durek’s past comments about his sex life with Märtha and alleged sexual misconduct with a client. Ultimately, Märtha decided to step away from the royal family to marry Durek. Märtha’s loved ones wanted to welcome Durek into the family, but she said that they had to “distance ourselves” in order to do so.
At their Geiranger wedding, Durek gushed, “I love being in a relationship with someone who understands that it’s about growth, and I got a lot of growing to do. However, she’s gonna make sure I do it.”
How did Princess Märtha Louise and Durek Verrett meet?
Märtha first learned about Durek in 2018 when a friend thought they should meet. In the documentary, Durek said he wasn’t looking to meet anyone when Märtha first reached out. “I kept ignoring Märtha’s messages because I was married to the world,” he said.
Eventually, he decided to meet her. Durek acknowledged that he was single at the time but also had a “friends with benefits kind of thing.”
When Märtha arrived at Durek’s place, she was wearing a raven shirt. Durek noted that ravens are his spirit animal. “Then I looked in her eyes, and they’re so blue, and I kind of sunk into her eyes a little bit,” he said. Märtha said she instantly knew Durek when they met. “The moment she said that, I saw my past life in Egypt,” he said. “And I saw myself on a throne, and she was standing next to me, and she’s like, ‘I found you, my love.'”
Netflix
Märtha thought Durek was “so easy to talk to.” She recalled that Durek told her that they were “destined to meet way before we were born.” They went public with their relationship in 2019.
What happened to Princess Märtha Louise’s first husband?
Märtha’s first husband was writer and artist Ari Behn. They married in 2002 and split in 2016. Their divorce was finalized the following year.
In Rebel Royals: An Unlikely Love Story, royal reporter Tove Taalesen claimed that affairs with other women led to the split. “But he told me that Märtha Louise was the love of his life. And he regretted everything,” she said.
During Durek’s first Christmas with Märtha’s family, Ari died by suicide on December 25, 2019. He was 47 years old.
Who was Durek Verrett’s first wife?
Durek was previously married to Zaneta Marzalkova. She was 21 years old when they wed in 2005. They divorced in 2009. Durek was then engaged to his business partner, Hank Greenberg, for a period of time. Durek is openly bisexual.
Do Princess Märtha Louise and Durek Verrett have kids?
No, Märtha and Durek do not have children together. Princess Märtha Louise has three kids with her late ex-husband: Maud, Leah, and Emma.
Rebel Royals: An Unlikely Love Story, Streaming Now, Netflix
