Norway's Märtha Louise and Shaman Durek Face Backlash Over Netflix Doc Claims and Royal Agreement Breach

A Netflix documentary featuring Princess Märtha Louise of Norway and her husband, American shaman Durek Verrett, has sparked backlash over claims about racism within the Norwegian royal family and accusations that the couple violated an official agreement governing their status. The program, Rebel Royals: An Unlikely Love Story, released earlier this month and follows the run-up to the couple’s wedding in Geiranger last summer. Within days, critics and palace aides questioned whether the film crossed lines set by the royal household, prompting a hastily issued retraction from the pair.

Footage in the documentary includes a conversation between Crown Prince Haakon and Verrett, despite an exit agreement that bars references to members of the Royal House in media productions. Verrett, 50, had also voiced heated claims against his in-laws, saying they did “nothing to help” him against critical coverage and contending that Norwegian royals would view him as irrational when he spoke of racism. He argued that only after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Oprah interview in 2021 did he feel the king began to listen. In a lengthy statement released last night, Verrett walked back those assertions, saying his remarks had been twisted by the media and that he never intended to imply an accusation of racism.

"What I said in the Netflix documentary about my father-in-law not knowing racism has been twisted by the media. Let me be clear about what I meant," he said, adding that in American culture saying someone does not know racism typically reflects differences in lived experience rather than ignorance. He expressed love for his in-laws and said his family remains rooted in respect and unity. He also referenced an earlier royal statement condemn­ing racism, calling it a sign of progressiveness in the family. A statement from King Harald V at the time underscored concern about racialized abuse on social media and the royals’ commitment to inclusivity, reinforcing the tension the documentary highlights between private beliefs and public duties.

The royal household has stressed the need for a clearer boundary between Märtha Louise and Verrett’s private life and the responsibilities of the Royal House. The royal communications manager, Guri Varpe, told NRK that the Crown wants a more explicit distinction between the couple’s activities and the royal institution. Varpe said the royal family reserved the right not to be filmed by programs that did not secure access in other press contexts, and she noted that a clip of Crown Prince Haakon from the wedding celebration was removed after the royal office raised the issue. The documentary’s release has intensified scrutiny of the couple’s status since Märtha Louise stepped back from senior duties in 2022.

In response to the backlash, Märtha Louise and Verrett issued a joint statement acknowledging the seriousness of the situation and the importance of safeguarding the integrity of the agreement moving forward. They said they would not take questions from the press if doing so could be construed as a breach, and they pledged to move forward in a constructive manner. The palace’s response, including the clip’s removal, signals a rare moment of friction between a private marriage and a public royal frame that continues to anchor Norway’s constitutional monarchy.

The Netflix project has already stirred controversy beyond the racism debate. It also revisits the couple’s relationship dynamics, public appearances, and differing views on royal protocol. Verrett, who has described Märtha Louise’s life as a princess as a unique journey, has criticized what he characterized as a rigid, highly controlled royal environment. In the program, he is shown questioning the boundaries of protocol and expressing a desire for a royal wedding and a push to be seen as part of the royal story. He also described interactions with Märtha Louise’s family as challenging, noting that his attire and mannerisms were at times at odds with the family’s expectations.

The documentary’s broader portrayal of the couple’s life has reignited debates about how far members of the extended royal family can pursue personal branding and commercial ventures while still maintaining formal ties to the Crown. Prior to her marriage, Märtha Louise had already faced scrutiny for using her princess title in commercial endeavors, including gin branding and a clothing line, despite an understanding that she would not leverage her title for commercial gain. The film’s revelations have amplified concerns among royal aides about maintaining a clear separation between personal business interests and the public duties associated with royal status.

Context surrounding the documentary also includes past disclosures about Durek Verrett’s controversial beliefs and public conduct. He has promoted health claims and medallions linked to his spiritual practices, and he has faced accusations ranging from criticisms of cancer causation to allegations of misconduct in certain sessions. Verrett has denied wrongdoing in those cases, and some allegations were later dropped. The Netflix project’s portrayal of his life and claims has added fuel to a broader discussion about how the monarchy manages relationships with controversial figures tied to its members and the public’s appetite for intimate, sometimes sensational, portrayals of royal life.

The controversy is taking place against a broader cultural backdrop in Norway. At a Nordic Archive Days conference held days after Rebel Royals’ release, Princess Mette-Marit suggested the palace would likely discuss the matter, though she cautioned she had not decided whether to view the documentary herself. The episode underscores how Norwegian public life continues to grapple with questions of identity, tradition, and modernity as the Royal House seeks to balance openness with its constitutional duties.

Observers note that the Netflix project arrived at a time when royal families around the world face heightened pressure to regulate how members of former or extended royal households present themselves in media and on social platforms. The tension around Märtha Louise and Verrett’s case is seen as illustrative of a broader challenge: how to respect personal autonomy and private belief systems while preserving the public expectations and official boundaries that govern royal life.

As the conversation around Rebel Royals unfolds, the Netflix documentary stands as a focal point for ongoing debate about authenticity, accountability, and the evolving role of royalty in a media-saturated landscape. For Märtha Louise and Verrett, the path forward appears to hinge on a renewed commitment to the formal boundaries that govern their relationship with the Royal House, paired with a willingness to communicate transparently about the delicate balance between personal life and public duty.

The story continues to develop as stakeholders—ranging from palace officials to cultural commentators—analyze the implications of the documentary, the couple’s statements, and the Royal House’s ongoing efforts to protect its constitutional role while remaining relevant in a modern media environment.