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Princess Martha Louise of Norway and Shaman Durek Verrett have kicked off their pre-wedding celebrations – ahead of the couple’s nuptials tomorrow.
Last night, the pair invited loved ones to a meet-and-greet party – informing their guests that the dress code is ‘cool and sexy’ – in the garden of Hotel 1904, in Alesund.
There were however looked to be some notable absences – including Durek’s estranged mother and sister, with whom has been embroiled in a public row.
It appears that festivities started shortly after guests – which included local actress and model Cecilia Foss – arrived in the Norwegian coastal town, with cake tasting in a shopping centre.
Videos from guests also showed glitzy outfits from glammed up guests, music – and heart-shaped décor everywhere, as the idyllic village of Geiranger readies for the big day.
Martha and Durek have rented out the garden of Hotel 1904 for their party last night; it is named after the great fire of Ålesund that hit the town in 1904 and destroyed almost the whole town centre. The venue seems to be beloved by the royal family as it has previously been visited by King Haakon of Norway.
Princess Martha Louise of Norway and Shaman Durek Verrett have kicked off their pre-wedding celebrations – ahead of the couple’s nuptials tomorrow. As reported by Hello , the pair yesterday struck a romantic chord in matching pink and white ensembles, and the royal’s gown was adorned with heart-shaped buckles
It follows an art nouveau theme and prides itself on being historic, yet modern. The garden has its own espresso bar and eatery and even has direct access to a shopping centre.
As reported by Hello, the pair yesterday struck a romantic chord in matching pink and white ensembles, and the royal’s gown was adorned with heart-shaped buckles.
Martha Louise was radiant in a dusky halterneck dress from the Princess’s brand Hest – as her beau posed in a suit with the same pattern.
The outfits were a touching tribute – as Martha Louise co-founded the label she co-founded with her Maid of Honour Anne-Kari Johannessen and Monica Sundt Utne – after Anne-Kari’s husband, who was also Martha’s close friend, passed away from cancer four years ago.
To match her look, Martha Louise accesorised her frock with a pink necklace and styled her chestnut tresses in careful curls.
A video on the outlet’s Instagram showed the loved-up pair swinging along to music together.
Earlier Instagram snaps from the day showed guests sharing excited selfies as they made the journey to Alesund.
Social media account bypatrioten shared video of the groom tucking into some cake in a shopping centre.
Social media account bypatrioten shared video of the groom tucking into some cake in a shopping centre
Princess Martha Louise of Norway’s daughter Leah Behn, 19, too looked gorgeous as she shared selfies of her glam make-up on social media, ready for the event
Norwegian model and presenter Cecilia Foss made a striking appearance in a deep red velvet ensemble, accessorising her look with a heart-shaped clutch
‘Cake, cosiness and wonderful chaos when @shamandurek put Ålesund city center on its head with a shopping round this morning,’ the post read.
‘We are so grateful that he stopped and ate cake here, says Kine vik and Ina Haagensen, who served cake in the common area at @alesundstorsenter today.’
Durek looked delighted to eat the baked good, and even fed people around him a piece.
‘So good!’ he can be heard exclaiming in the video, and later telling the camera that the marzipan-flavoured delight, which was decorated with orange roses, is ‘amazing’.
Meanwhile, Stories from designers Londubh Studio and publicist Tanya Khani showed excited and very glamorous guest arriving for the highly anticipated first night of pre-wedding fun yesterday.
Taking to their Instagram ( @visitgeiranger_com ), the local tourism account has shared a behind the scenes clip of the site being decorated ahead of the day
Heart-shaped decorations, including a flower arch and vines, have been made for the event. Pictured, a schedule of events
The glamorous frocks at the event included gold and silver gowns, as well as striking dresses amid more casual ensembles.
Norwegian model and presenter Cecilia Foss made a striking appearance in a deep red velvet ensemble, accessorising her look with a heart-shaped clutch.
Princess Märtha Louise of Norway’s daughter Leah Behn, 19, too looked gorgeous as she shared selfies of her glam make-up on social media, ready for the event.
On Thursday afternoon, Tanya also filmed Durek ‘running into’ excited guests as he wandered around the scenic town for some shopping.
Today, family and friends will also enjoy a luxurious boat ride along the GeirangerFjord to Geiranger village, taking in the scenic views.
Taking to their Instagram (@visitgeiranger_com), the local tourism account has shared a behind the scenes clip of the site being decorated ahead of the day.
Durek looked delighted to eat the cake on Thursday, and even fed people around him a piece. ‘So good!’ he can be heard exclaiming in the video, and later telling the camera that the marzipan-flavoured delight, which was decorated with orange roses, is ‘amazing’
Princess Martha and Shaman Durek will then also throw a Latin American-themed pre-wedding party at Hotel Union which will include salsa dancing. Pictured, Thursday’s party kicking off
Heart-shaped decorations, including a flower arch and vines, have been made for the event.
Princess Martha and Shaman Durek will then also throw a Latin American-themed pre-wedding party at Hotel Union which will include salsa dancing.
The couple will then have their ceremony, with the couple having seven bridesmaids and seven groomsmen in total.
Martha’s three teenage daughters, Maud Angelica, 21, Leah Isadora, 19 and Emma Tallulah, 15, are expected to be three of the seven bridesmaids.
Her parents, King Harald and Queen Sonja, are also expected to be in attendance along with her brother Haakon and his wife.
Princess Martha is seemingly very close with her family, previously telling the BBC: ‘From a very young age, I remember my mum and dad saying we have to stick together, we have to talk things through even if it’s hard, we have to put all the cards on the table because we are family, and we have to work things through all the turmoil.’
The town has been gearing up for the festivities with heart-shaped décor and floral scenes everywhere
Reverend Michael Beckwith (second from right), who has appeared on Oprah Winfrey’s Super Soul podcast, will also get involved in the nuptials
Today, family and friends will also enjoy a luxurious boat ride along the GeirangerFjord to Geiranger village, taking in the scenic views
Pictured: Princess Martha Louise and Derek attending a trip on a boat from Alesund to Geiranger
Crown Princess Mette-Marit pictured arriving for the boat, as day two of pre-wedding festivities begin
Shaman Durek announced in June that Parish Priest Margit Lovise Holte will be officiating their marriage.
Reverend Michael Beckwith, who has appeared on Oprah Winfrey’s Super Soul podcast, will also get involved in the nuptials.
The event will then be followed by the wedding breakfast and a reception, celebrating their lifetime commitment to each other.
Martha, who describes herself as ‘spiritual’ and claims to be a clairvoyant, got into a relationship with Durek after overcoming the loss of her first husband, Ari Behn, who died by suicide in 2019.
But things have not been easy for Martha, as she was forced to leave her role as a working member of the royal family because of her fiancé’s controversial views.
Durek stated that he believed that childhood cancer is caused by unhappiness in a book he wrote.
The bride and groom started day two with sensational outfits – Martha Louise went for a black and pink ensemble while Durek opted for a chic monochrome look
Martha Louise teamed a black leather skirt and jacket with a magenta button-up – which she accessorised with a matching purse
Durek looked cool in a distressed brown jumper, matching trousers and a pair of sunglasses for the boat trip
The princess opted for an elegant and understated make-up look to match her colourful outfit today
Today’s festivities have started with a boat tour. Also on the agenda is a party which will include salsa dancing
He published ‘Spirit Hacking’ in 2019 in the US, but publishers banned it in Norway over the unsubstantial claims.
After reading a translation of the book from its original English, the publishing house said at the time they were shocked by a number of unproven statements made by Durek in the book.
It comes as the controversial American ‘shamanic healer’ has been embroiled in an explosive row with his mother and sister for several months which led him to threaten them with legal action.
However, earlier this month Durek’s oldest sister Demi DeLaNuit has hit back at her younger brother and revealed what she claims are the terms of a legal warning he sent to her – including a public apology video that he would be able to pre-approve.
Taking to Instagram in a post in which she has tagged some of the shaman’s Hollywood pals including wellness guru Gwyneth Paltrow, Demi DeLaNuit, who is still followed by Martha Louise but not by Durek Verrett, claimed the couple were threatening to sue her ‘for millions of dollars’.
She added she has ‘laid low’ for four years since he got together with the Norwegian Princess; until Durek began to spout ‘untruths’ about her.
The clip then cuts to Durek speaking about how his mother and sister ‘joined up with the press’ and told ‘lies’ about him – referring to a row that began in April when Veruschka Urquhart, Durek’s mother, conducted interviews with Norwegian celebrity magazine Se og Hør in which she branded her son a ‘dangerous’ man who had ‘brainwashed’ Princess Martha Louise.
She also claimed that her son did not grow up with the wealth he has previously claimed to have enjoyed during his childhood.
In the clip, Demi showed the camera what she claims is the cease and desist letter issued by Durek and Martha Louise earlier this month; which threatened to sue her if she did not stop discussing her brother in public.
Martha Louise was radiant in a dusky halterneck dress from the Princess’s brand Hest – as her beau posed in a suit with the same pattern
The outfits were a touching tribute – as Martha Louise co-founded the label she co-founded with her Maid of Honour Anne-Kari Johannessen and Monica Sundt Utne – after Anne-Kari’s husband, who was also Martha’s close friend, passed away from cancer four years ago
Demi then reads out what she claims are two conditions he has laid out to her. The first is that she deletes a clip she posted on social media in which she requested a private meeting with her brother to hash out their differences.
She should then film and upload an apology video, retracting previous claims made about her brother – but that before the video is uploaded, she should send it to Durek for approval.
Demi says: ‘My response? No.’
The second demand, she claims, is that she should ‘turn over everything I have on you’ which includes electronic files. Demi stresses again that she would not comply.
Instead, she threatens to see her estranged brother ‘in court’ where she claims she will share information she previously has not revealed in public.
Demi then attacks her brother for threatening legal action against their mother, saying: ‘You are riding our 81-year-old mother a little too hard for my taste’.
She revealed the Shaman has also tried to ‘silence’ her daughter, his niece, by threatening to sue them for ‘millions of dollars’.
Demi concludes: ‘I have worked tirelessly to separate myself from you since that incident that happened four years ago.’ She does not explain which incident she is referring to.
She says: ‘It’s all gonna come out soon.’
Durek has also claimed he once came back from the dead, recovering from a month-long coma, by letting his soul ‘burn’ and he has also spoken of having to undergo a kidney transplant from his sister as a child.
It is unclear why he needed the kidney or how he became wheelchair bound, as he has described. The illness which sent him into a coma is also undisclosed.
After stepping down as a working royal in November 2022, she gave an interview on Swedish TV in which she claimed she had ‘received the most criticism of anyone in Norway’ for her spiritual beliefs.
As she sat down with Anna Hedenmo on Min Sanning – which translates to My Truth – the royal said she felt she needed to step back because of public image.
She said: ‘I am probably the one in Norway who has received the most criticism of all, I think.’
