The Norwegian royal family have suffered a series of health issues recently, with Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s lung transplant in June followed by Durek Verrett‘s kidney transplant earlier this week.
The heartache continued on 28 August, when King Harald passed away aged 89 after being hospitalised with a bacterial blood infection. In a statement, the Norwegian royal household said: “It is with deep sorrow that we announce that His Majesty King Harald passed away today. King Harald passed away peacefully at Rikshospitalet on Friday, August 28, at 06:35.”
He is survived by his wife Queen Sonja, with whom he would have celebrated his 58th wedding anniversary on 29 August, and their children King Haakon VIII and Princess Martha Louise.
During this difficult time, the latter will be turning to her husband Durek Verrett for support. The shaman posted his own personal tribute to his late father-in-law on Instagram, writing: “Love you dad. I will miss all our fun times together.”
Durek was warmly welcomed into the royal family following their wedding in August 2024, two years after Princess Märtha Louise stepped back from official royal duties in 2022. See what Durek told HELLO! about his close bond with the royals…
Durek Verrett’s close bond with King Harald and Queen Sonja
The couple got married in a three-day celebration featuring a boat trip along the Geiranger Fjord and a Latin American-themed pre-wedding party at the Hotel Union in Geiranger.
At the wedding reception, which saw the bride and groom and their family deliver emotional wedding speeches, Märtha’s mother Queen Sonja welcomed Durek into the family. The bride’s eldest daughter Maud also shared moving words about how happy she was to have Durek in her life.
© Getty ImagesMeanwhile, Durek, who comes from a long line of spiritualists on the maternal side of his family, said: “I also thanked her mom and dad for bringing her into this world, and her family for being so open to me, and that whenever we have problems they listen and that gives us the ability to be close to them.”
He continued by sharing a sweet moment with his new brother-in-law. “Märtha’s family has been very supportive and loving. I always feel safe and can talk to them about anything. I can’t discuss our private conversations, but she has a very wise father and mother.
© Getty“And my future brother-in-law [Crown Prince Haakon] has spoken of how it’s a privilege to have me in their family, which is really touching,” Durek added.
Shaman Durek’s nerves about Princess Märtha’s parents’ approval
© GettyIn June 2022, Durek proposed in San Juan Capistrano, California, and he recalled being nervous about seeking the blessing of King Harald and Queen Sonja. “I have old school views on courtship, and asking for Märtha’s hand in marriage was about respect,” he told HELLO!.
“The King and Queen asked me questions about myself and the future, and went quiet for a bit. I was sweating as I waited for their response – and then they turned to me and said they’d love to have me as part of the family,” he said.
Following their royal wedding, which was covered in the controversial Netflix documentary, Rebel Royals: An Unlikely Love Story, the couple were accused of “breaching” the agreement made with the Norwegian royal family. The agreement outlined that neither Märtha nor Durek would use royal titles or connections in commercial activities, including media productions.
© GettyCommenting on the documentary prior to his accession, King Haakon VIII (then Crown Prince) told Se og Hør: “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.”
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