What changed royal bride's mind on remarrying after split from late ex-husband

Almost six years after the death of her former husband, Norway's Princess Martha Louise will remarry in coming days.

Princess Martha Louise will wed American shaman Durek Verrett during a three-day celebration in Geiranger, on Norway's west coast.

The wedding comes six years after she and US-born Verrett met and five years after her former husband's death.

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The princess, who turns 53 next month, announced new details about the upcoming nuptials in an August 25 interview with Hello! magazine.

In it, she revealed she had sworn off remarrying after her first marriage to late author, playwright and visual artist Ari Behn ended.

Behn married Princess Martha Louise, the eldest child of King Harald and Queen Sonja of Norway on May 24, 2002.

They welcomed three children, Maud, Leah and Emma, before the Royal House of Norway announced their separation on August 5, 2016.

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The divorce was finalised the following year.

Behn died by suicide at his home in Norway on Christmas Day, 2019. He was 47.

By then, Princess Martha Louise had moved on with Verrett, who is Gwyneth Paltrow's 'guru'.

The two reportedly met through a mutual friend in 2018 and confirmed their relationship and business partnership in May 2019.

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The princess got into hot water with her family after she embarked on a speaking tour with Verrett, entitled 'The Princess and the Shaman'.

To appease her family, the princess, who is fourth in line to the throne, agreed to stop using the title of 'princess' in her work.

The couple announced their engagement in June 2022 and the princess stepped down from official royal duties in November 2022.

Now she has told Hello! that following her divorce, she had sworn off remarriage.

"I had decided not to get married again. But after meeting Durek in 2018, I changed my mind," she said.

"For me, getting married will seal the closeness between us. It's a way of elevating the energy and entering into a new phase of our relationship.

"It's letting the world know this is the person I love in a declaration before family, friends and God.

"Sealing our relationship in front of the universe is a strong spiritual declaration, and to do that surrounded by the people who love us and who we love, will be wonderful."

The princess, whose daughters are now aged 21, 19 and 16, divides her time between homes in Lommedalen, a rural community 30 minutes from Oslo, and the US.

According to the Royal House of Norway, Princess Martha Louise is an author and lecturer who also owns a line of clothing and beauty products.

Her alternative lifestyle and beliefs has raised eyebrows in the past when she claimed she could speak to angels. She has also worked as a clairvoyant.

She told Hello! she and Verrett were "very excited" about the upcoming nuptials, which will be attended by about 350 guests, including members of the royal family.

"It feels amazing to be marrying Durek and I'm so happy the day is almost here. The surroundings are gorgeous – it's one of the most beautiful places I know," she said.

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