Norway’s Crown Prince Haakon breaks silence after Rebel Royals documentary

Crown Prince Haakon of Norway has spoken publicly for the first time since the release of Princess Märtha Louise and Durek Verrett's Netflix documentary Rebel Royals: An Unlikely Love Story. In an interview with the Norwegian weekly Se og Hør published Tuesday, Haakon, 52, said there was not a 'good enough distinction' between the activities of the Royal House and the Netflix project. 'I think I should refrain from judging it, but unfortunately I do not think that there is a good enough distinction between the activities of the Royal House and the project and the commercial side of Princess Märtha Louise and Durek Verrett's activities.'

The disclosure comes amid ongoing discussions about the 2022 agreement under which Märtha Louise stepped back from official duties but retained her royal title in some contexts. The agreement states that they would not use the title or reference the Royal House in media productions or other commercial ventures. A clip in the documentary showing Haakon at the couple's wedding in Geiranger was included despite the palace asking not to be filmed; the palace's communications manager, Guri Varpe, said the clip was removed at the palace's request. Varpe told NRK that, while people have the right to tell their stories, the Royal House wants a clearer distinction between Märtha Louise and Durek Verrett's activities and the Royal House. 'When we were made aware that a clip of the Crown Prince from the wedding celebration had been used, we contacted the director and requested that the clip be removed,' Varpe said. She added that the Royal House reserves its right not to be filmed in situations where other press did not have access. The clip has since been removed. The interview with Se og Hør also captured Haakon saying there would be 'something to build on' from the 2022 agreement, and that talks were underway to resolve the dispute.

Haakon said, despite there being 'a bit of a challenge', both parties would have 'to try to figure it out', confirming that conversations are ongoing to resolve the dispute. The palace has signaled that discussions will continue about how to draw clearer lines between official duties and private ventures involving Märtha Louise and Verrett. In the same breath, the royal household emphasized a commitment to open dialogue about boundaries and the handling of future media activity.

Meanwhile, Durek Verrett appeared to backtrack on several comments in a lengthy Instagram post, insisting his words had been 'twisted by the media.' He said he had never intended to imply allegations of racism about Norway's royal family. 'What I said in the Netflix documentary about my father-in-law not knowing racism has been twisted by the media,' he wrote. He added that in American culture saying someone does not know racism often means they have not experienced it in the same way, not that they are ignorant or unkind. He said, 'I love my father-in-law and my mother-in-law deeply. We have a strong and respectful relationship. They have supported me and my wife through everything and we share great love and understanding. I am not a victim and I am not interested in playing one. I am an educator and my focus is always on love and lifting humanity higher.' He also stated that his family and in-laws stand together in respect and love.

In the body of Rebel Royals, Verrett offered his perspective on royal life, described royal gatherings as overly controlled and 'flat' in terms of conversation, and noted moments where he felt out of place, including a scene where he was corrected on how to address Belgium's Princess Astrid. He spoke about wanting a royal wedding, asking whether he would have his own makeup artist, and he recalled a first meeting with Märtha Louise's parents in which his attire was deemed inappropriate. The documentary also depicts his claims about royal protocol and his reflections on how to balance being himself with Märtha Louise's life as a princess.

The Netflix release comes as Norway's royal family has faced renewed scrutiny over the 2022 agreement and the use of titles in media and commercial ventures. The royal household has long stressed the need for a clearer separation between personal projects and official duties. The entire episode has unfolded amid broader public attention to the family, including unrelated reports about Haakon's stepson, Märtha Louise's son, who was reported to face a large number of charges, including some serious offenses. The notes describe the charges as part of separate news surrounding the family.

Earlier this week, Princess Märtha Louise and Verrett acknowledged the seriousness of the situation and pledged to move forward constructively, stating they would not entertain questions from the press if doing so would breach their agreement. At Nordic Archive Days, Princess Mette-Marit indicated she expected the matter to be discussed within the Palace, though she had not decided whether to view the documentary herself. The Netflix project Rebel Royals: An Unlikely Love Story has drawn attention for its intimate look at Märtha Louise and Verrett’s relationship and for the tensions it reveals around royal boundaries and private life in the public eye, a topic that continues to reverberate across Norway.