Princess Märtha Louise & Durek Verrett: News & Information

[Tatiana Maria]

Originally Posted by Bosana

Does anyone know if Martha Louise is still carrying out any duties for the royal family? Any of her patronages still staging events with her participation? I can't find any info on this. She seems to be very busy elsewhere!!

The 2018 annual report from the Royal Court lists twelve events attended by her that year in her capacity as a member of the royal family, including five solo events (which I have emphasized with underlining).

1.–2. FEBRUAR
Offisielt besøk av Hertugen og Hertuginnen av Cambridge

7. MARS
Avdeling Regnbuens 20-årsjubileum, Kurland skole i Sarpsborg

12. MARS
Paralympiske Leker 2018, Sør-Korea

18. MAI
Norges Døveforbunds 100-årsjubileum, Oslo rådhus

7. JUNI
Regjeringens markering av norsk innsats i De Olympiske og Paralympiske Leker i Pyeongchang 2018

9. AUGUST
Besøk til Universitetssenteret på Svalbard og Svalbard museum

27. AUGUST
Åpning av H.M. Dronningens barndomshjem på Maihaugen, Lillehammer

29. AUGUST
Gudstjeneste i anledning DD.MM. Kongen og Dronningens gullbryllup, Oslo domkirke
Middag anledning DD.MM. Kongen og Dronningens gullbryllup

10. SEPTEMBER
Lansering av Stiftelsen VI, Olympiatoppen

17. SEPTEMBER
Lunsj for Prinsesse Märtha Louises Fond

22. NOVEMBER
Åpningsseminaret for Abloom Filmfestival «Universell utforming», Oslo

[HereditaryPrincess]

Originally Posted by LadyFinn

In a live video Friday night, Shaman Durek apologizes his words.
- I made some mistakes in a post where I said that Norway banned my book. It was a misunderstanding. It was the publisher who stopped my book. So I will regret that.
- In addition, I apologize for having generalized Norwegians. Not everyone in Norway has an issue with me. I don't want people to misunderstand the fact that Norway is a beautiful country, with beautiful people, and of course my girlfriend, who is a princess in Norway. So, of course, I have a lot of respect and love for the country.
Durek Verrett - Beklager til nordmenn - Dagbladet

Surprised the Shaman even issued an apology! He just shouldn't have made the comment in the first place.

[Osipi]

Originally Posted by LadyFinn

In a live video Friday night, Shaman Durek apologizes his words.
- I made some mistakes in a post where I said that Norway banned my book. It was a misunderstanding. It was the publisher who stopped my book. So I will regret that.
- In addition, I apologize for having generalized Norwegians. Not everyone in Norway has an issue with me. I don't want people to misunderstand the fact that Norway is a beautiful country, with beautiful people, and of course my girlfriend, who is a princess in Norway. So, of course, I have a lot of respect and love for the country.
Durek Verrett - Beklager til nordmenn - Dagbladet

The words that are in bold speak a lot to me. Does this mean that if ML *wasn't* a princess of Norway, would he feel differently? I seriously doubt that Norwegians needed to be reminded that ML is their princess. It tells me that the fact that ML is a princess matters more to him than he's letting on.

This is a serious case of open mouth, insert foot in my book (not the shaman's book mind you).

[Tatiana Maria]

Within the context of the above quote, I think his stress is on the fact that his girlfriend the princess is an example of a person "in Norway" who does not "have an issue with" him ("Not everyone in Norway has an issue with me").

[Osipi]

That makes sense too. The bottom line though is that the book will not be published in Norway. That brings me to a question. Has the book been published anywhere else? I know there are publishing houses in the US that can and does publish books such as these.

[Alex the VI]

He sure doesn't miss an opportunity to remind us that ML is a princess! The more I read about him, the more I'm convinced he would not be with her if she wasn't. He had a picture with Ari Behn on his IG stories ...called him "his brother" and, of course, he "loved him".

[Muhler]

Originally Posted by Alex the VI

He sure doesn't miss an opportunity to remind us that ML is a princess! The more I read about him, the more I'm convinced he would not be with her if she wasn't. He had a picture with Ari Behn on his IG stories ...called him "his brother" and, of course, he "loved him".

He's a very loving man.

But, but, why didn't his ancestors and spirit-guides give him a heads-up in regards to the publishing house rejecting his book?
Perhaps his spirits don't understand Norwegian?
Or have the Norwegian spirits out there in the spirit world, ganged up against him as well, and withheld that piece of information?

Me mighty confused!

[O-H Anglophile]

Originally Posted by Osipi

That makes sense too. The bottom line though is that the book will not be published in Norway. That brings me to a question. Has the book been published anywhere else? I know there are publishing houses in the US that can and does publish books such as these.

Yes, it is available from Amazon. The publication date is listed as October 15.

[polyesco]

Originally Posted by Alex the VI

He sure doesn't miss an opportunity to remind us that ML is a princess! The more I read about him, the more I'm convinced he would not be with her if she wasn't. He had a picture with Ari Behn on his IG stories ...called him "his brother" and, of course, he "loved him".

https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net...7a&oe=5E204FC0

[Hans-Rickard]

I can't help but hope that this relationship ends... It feels hard to say but it is the truth.

I get that ML don't want to be seen as a Royal and hates the Royal protocol (strange as she had no issues in touring as "The Princess & The Shaman" but had to more or less be forced to stop misusing her title) and that she claims to be clairvoyant, but should it really be so difficult for her to find a non-weird husband with an uncontroversial job ?

[pkl]

Originally Posted by Hans-Rickard

In the TERRIBLY TRAGICALLY event that Crown Princess Mette Marit predeceases Queen Sonja, Princess Ingrid Alexandra will automatically become First Lady as the Senior Princess of the Court, regardless of being above or under 18.

Norway has survived without a Queen before and will survive it again should it become necessary. It won't be for a long time though. Sweden was without a First Lady between 15 June 1974 (Princess Christina's wedding) to 19 June 1976 (Wedding of the Royal Couple). During that 2 year gap The King was the only full time working royal, though Princess Christina Mrs Magnuson and Prince Bertil was part time.

I hope Queen Sonja will turn 90 in good health and as of today it's not unthinkable. She seems to be like a Duracell Bunny and in better physical health than most youngsters ;-) Tell me which other 82 year old Queen go hiking and skiing in the mountains whenever her schedule allows for it ?

And to be honest with you, i don't think many Norwegians WANT Princess Märtha Louise to even be the be symbolic Senior Princess, even if just for shorter periods during Ingrid Alexandra's education. Most Norwegians lost their patience with her already when she married Ari and had her "Angel Course"... Many Norwegians also disliked the Crown Prince's choice of wife but Mette Marit has ever since her wedding worked her way up and proved herself being worthy of her position.

Queen Sonja's mother passed when she was in her late 90s. So there is a hope that she will get older.
I want ML to retire completely from the royal duties. One more concern from me is the celebrity addiction the crown prince couple have. They should remove "friends" like Gwyneth Paltrow etc. They make the royal family/house unpopular. Stay discreet and neutral...

[Skippy]

Originally Posted by pkl

Queen Sonja's mother passed when she was in her late 90s. So there is a hope that she will get older.
I want ML to retire completely from the royal duties. One more concern from me is the celebrity addiction the crown prince couple have. They should remove "friends" like Gwyneth Paltrow etc. They make the royal family/house unpopular. Stay discreet and neutral...

Based on this, I think Princess Ragnhild would gladly shake hands with you...

[Heavs]

Originally Posted by pkl

I want ML to retire completely from the royal duties. One more concern from me is the celebrity addiction the crown prince couple have. They should remove "friends" like Gwyneth Paltrow etc. They make the royal family/house unpopular. Stay discreet and neutral...

Royalty has always been friends with celebrities from the beginning, whatever constituted celebrities or performers in the era they lived in. It's not a new thing and sometimes got Royals into questionable situations just like today. They should be mindful about who they mix with to a certain extent. However with a lot of the social/fundraiser/international circles and events they go to, it's inevitable they are going to make connections with GPs or others like her. Unless a person is a criminal or otherwise making poor choices I don't think anyone should dictate their friends. Friends with "Hollywood Royalty" is a lot less questionable than friendship with murderous regime leaders and their heirs.

Personally I think the sham man falls into a very poor choice category for a number of reasons, not least of which was the joint tour but the public shouldn't be able to "yes to friendship with Bono, no to Gwyneth coming over for tea" just for an example.

[pkl]

Originally Posted by Heavs

Royalty has always been friends with celebrities from the beginning, whatever constituted celebrities or performers in the era they lived in. It's not a new thing and sometimes got Royals into questionable situations just like today. They should be mindful about who they mix with to a certain extent. However with a lot of the social/fundraiser/international circles and events they go to, it's inevitable they are going to make connections with GPs or others like her. Unless a person is a criminal or otherwise making poor choices I don't think anyone should dictate their friends. Friends with "Hollywood Royalty" is a lot less questionable than friendship with murderous regime leaders and their heirs.

Personally I think the sham man falls into a very poor choice category for a number of reasons, not least of which was the joint tour but the public shouldn't be able to "yes to friendship with Bono, no to Gwyneth coming over for tea" just for an example.

In Norway the "tradition" for the royal family have been to be discreet, down to earth, neutral etc.

[Skippy]

Originally Posted by pkl

In Norway the "tradition" for the royal family have been to be discreet, down to earth, neutral etc.

Hence my comment on the previous page about the late Princess Ragnhild.

While I understand where you come from, in today's society it sounds a bit elitist.
Even royalty has to move with the times, although they do walk a fine line.

[Alisa]

There is nothing wrong with royals being friends with celebrities. Often times celebrities have the fan based, media attention, and money that is very useful to royal foundations and charities.
For example, the Centrepoint charity of which the Duke of Cambridge supports received bi-Atlantic press reports and media attention when Taylor Swift attended and joined in on singing on stage with Bon Jovi and the Duke of Cambridge.

The problem is when the celebrity-royal relationship moves beyond a professional and working relationship and is publicized and known to the public.

Royals don't want to risk the royal house being "celebritized" so they must be careful.

[JR76]

Originally Posted by Alisa

The problem is when the celebrity-royal relationship moves beyond a professional and working relationship and is publicized and known to the public.

Royals don't want to risk the royal house being "celebritized" so they must be careful.

Overstepping that fine line is exactly what some have criticised Haakon and Mette-Marit for. Not only with celebrities but also with jet-set friends rich enough to lend them luxury yatchs something which was a big scandal only a few years ago.

[Osipi]

Originally Posted by JR76

Overstepping that fine line is exactly what some have criticised Haakon and Mette-Marit for. Not only with celebrities but also with jet-set friends rich enough to lend them luxury yatchs something which was a big scandal only a few years ago.

I think the big difference here is the idea that Martha Louise and her "shaman" were using her royal status to make a profit for themselves and celebrity "name dropping" to enhance their own agenda and stuff their own pockets.

Many, many royals can and do associate with celebrities with the idea that these "deep pockets" can and do assist in funding and bringing attention to causes and organizations that royals sponsor and patronage in their service to the people of their country.

Being a celebrity or a jet setter or filthy rich isn't a disease. They're human beings just like royals are. It all depends on the motives and reasons they have for coming together. On anything. ML and her "shaman" aren't serving their public out of the goodness of their hearts or else what they preach that will benefit mankind as a whole would come free of charge.

At least that's how I see it.

[HereditaryPrincess]

Originally Posted by JR76

Overstepping that fine line is exactly what some have criticised Haakon and Mette-Marit for. Not only with celebrities but also with jet-set friends rich enough to lend them luxury yatchs something which was a big scandal only a few years ago.

Weren't they also criticised for the expenses of a 40th birthday celebration? I can't remember whether it was for Haakon or MM, but I certainly recall the couple being criticised in the Scandinavian media for the extravagant party.

[Tatiana Maria]

Originally Posted by Skippy

Hence my comment on the previous page about the late Princess Ragnhild.

While I understand where you come from, in today's society it sounds a bit elitist.
Even royalty has to move with the times, although they do walk a fine line.

pkl was noting that Norwegian culture, rather than being elitist, is negative towards elitism, and therefore to "move with the times" in today's Norwegian society would be to move in the opposite direction from the one you suggested.

I've found the input of Royal Norway, a very informed Norwegian poster in this forum, helpful:

Originally Posted by ROYAL NORWAY

I urge those who are interested to read (as you did) the Wikipedia article about it. In addition to the their explanation, I must add that the Law of Jante (Janteloven in Norwegian) is much more present in Norway than in the other Scandinavian countries: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php...ecial%3ASearch

I will now try to explain how the Law of Jante has affected Haakon and Mette-Marit's popularity:

As I said in post 109: After the criticism from people/media calmed down after the wedding in 2001, both Haakon and Mette-Marit become very popular (I would say even more popular than what Frederik and Mary are in Denmark now). They got some criticism for the controversial journey they went on in 2010/2011, but it calmed down quickly. Their approval ratings were above 80% until early 2013.

This was because we liked that they were like us, we liked that Mette-Marit had a history and we liked that Haakon was a caring stepfather to Marius.

In the last 3 years, this has unfortunately changed. Let me make some examples:

They have been criticized for:

1. They took the children out of the public school etc.

Most Norwegians reacted like this: They think they're better than everyone else. They don't think that the public school is good enough for them. Who the heck do they think they are.

2. Being friends with wealthy people, politicians, actors and for going on luxury boat-trips etc.

Most Norwegians reacted like this: They are snobbish. They are not like the King. They live like royalty did in the past. They are trying to reintroduce the nobility in Norway etc.

3. Haakon: He interferes in politics, uses the royal court's money to build organizations and is bad at dealing with the media.

Most Norwegians reacted like this: He behaves like a politician. He is arrogant etc.

4. Mette-Marit: She's even worse at dealing with the media and gets cranky when she gets asked critical questions. And she uses expensive clothing.

Most Norwegians reacted like this: She is arrogant. She can't handle criticism. She is snobbish. She is too grand etc.

Queen Sonja was also criticized for being snobbish, a bit cold and too grand, but it has calmed down over the past 10 years.