Princess Martha Louise of Norway and her husband, Shaman Durek Verrett have unveiled a new unofficial monogram which honours ‘their past life together in Egypt’ and is ’embedded with important symbolism’ – after tying the knot last week.
The spiritual newlyweds, who claim to have first met during ancient times, took to Instagram to share the stylised art, which sees an M stacked over a D.
‘We are so honored and grateful to share our monogram with you. This is not an official monogram, as I no longer represent the Royal family at official functions. This monogram is merely a wonderful emblem embedded with important symbolism for both @shamandurek and myself embracing our love,’ Martha wrote.
‘Thank you so much to the amazing team @anti_hamar for embrasing both of our souls into this representation of the two of us.
‘You have done such a great job in capturing both of our essence into one symbol.’
Princess Martha Louise of Norway and her husband, Shaman Durek Verrett have unveiled a new unofficial monogram which honours ‘their past life together in Egypt’ and is ’embedded with important symbolism’ – after tying the knot last week
Martha, who said that the monogram ’embraces the hieroglyphs and the Egyptian symbols’, explained the artwork in detail.
The M, she said, of course, stands or Martha, and the letter corresponds to the hieroglyph of an owl, ‘a guardian of souls navigating between worlds’.
Meanwhile, D is for Durek, which in hieroglyphs would be represented as a hand – a ‘symbol of actions performed with grace, opening doors and dancing through life’.
Also featured in the monogram is the Eye of Horus, for ‘healing and knowledge’; horses, which have ‘been a central animal through both their lives’; a heart for ‘unconditional love’; an infinity symbol for their ‘eternal bond’ and a diamond ‘representing the portal between the physical and the metaphysical realms’.
The couple have claimed that they met each other in a past life.
Durek told PEOPLE: ‘When we’re together and I look at [Martha], sometimes I see another face… And she sees it in me, too. I have memories of us in Egypt, and she was my queen and I was a pharaoh.’
The Princess added: ‘I came in the door, and I recognized him straight away. I was like, ‘I know you.’ That’s the first thing I said to him.’
Martha, who describes herself as ‘spiritual’ and claims to be a clairvoyant, got into a relationship with Durek after overcoming the loss of her first husband, Ari Behn, who died by suicide in 2019.
The spiritual newlyweds, who claim to have first met during ancient times, took to Instagram to share the stylised art, which sees an M stacked over a D
According to the Norwegian publication, ahead of the wedding, a message was sent out to their invitees asking them not to share anything on their social media profiles.
‘Please remember that mobile phones or cameras are not allowed at any of the events throughout the weekend. In addition, we ask that you do not post anything on social media,’ it states, according to an email that the website obtained.
It then reiterates that it is ‘very important’ that ‘everyone’ follows the guidelines and asks guests to ‘take them seriously’.
Norwegian outlet Aftenposten reported that a ‘well-known Netflix director’ named Rebecca Chaiklin, who worked on the hit show Tiger King, would be making the documentary about the pair.
Martha, who said that the monogram ’embraces the hieroglyphs and the Egyptian symbols’, explained the artwork in detail
The couple got married in a huge ceremony in Geiranger last week, witnessed by 350 guests. The newlyweds pictured with members of the royal family
But things have not been easy for Martha, as she was forced to leave her role as a working member of the royal family because of her fiancé’s controversial views.
The couple got married in a huge ceremony in Geiranger last week, witnessed by 350 guests.
The elaborate event took place over four days, kicking off with welcome drinks on Thursday night, followed by a pre-wedding party on Friday night, then the wedding on Saturday, and breakfast and brunch on Sunday.
However, the nuptial do between the 52-year-old royal and her self-styled ‘shaman’ husband, 49, has been mired in controversy – in part due to the couple’s use of commercial links and agreements.
Among them, are exclusivity deals with Hello! magazine and Netflix. According to Se og Hør, guests were told not to post images to social media – with the alleged ban thought to be linked to these exclusivity agreements.
The outlet said American production company Nordic Pictures LLC is collaborating with a Norwegian production company.
Netflix also confirmed via a press release that it was making an ‘in-depth and moving documentary’ about Princess Martha Louise and Shaman Durek’s ‘love story’.
It was also reported by Aftenposten that Rebecca Chaiklin requested that the Norwegian drone photographer apply for a drone permit.
The publication also claims that an application to the Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority was made for drone filming of the wedding in Geiranger on Saturday 31 August.
But a source told Se og Hør: ‘If there are too many ‘leaks’ of photos, the sum the couple will receive will probably be reduced,’ in terms of the deals they have made to companies covering their wedding.
The Daily Mail’s Richard Eden reported that ‘Norwegians are not happy’ about the exclusivity agreements.
A spokesman for the Royal Family also said ‘it denies other outlets fair access’, and it was revealed that the royals would not only pose for exclusive images.
Ahead of the ceremony, several measures were put in place to ensure the bride was not seen by media outlets, with several people holding sheets around the royal while she made her way to the wedding marquee, totally hiding her.
Princess Martha Louise of Norway and her US groom Shaman Durek delighted crowds lining the streets by sharing a kiss after their wedding
Following the ceremony, a guest who was interviewed by Norwegian network VG TV said that not having phones out at the event meant that people were able to be fully immersed in watching the action.
These exclusivity deals were not the only commercial controversies swirling around the event.
According to Se og Hør, despite guests forking out an average of £2,300 (NOK 32,000) to attend the event – a sum which does not include the cost of a wedding gift – they were not treated to an open bar at the Hotel Union in Geiranger, where the reception was hosted.
According to the outlet, it is traditional for Norwegian weddings to have open bars, but guests at the royal wedding were reportedly given five drink vouchers on Friday evening, for drinks on both Friday night’s party and the reception on Saturday.
After the vouchers ran out, it was claimed guests could purchase drinks from a menu, featuring cocktails made with the couple’s customised gin they made with Oslo Håndverksdestilleri. The drinks were priced at £16.50 (NOK 225).
The gin itself has provoked criticism of the royal: earlier this year, it was reported that the couple had been involved in creating the beverage which was made by Oslo Håndverksdestilleri (OHD).
The label on the gin bottle said: ‘We created this gin for the wedding of Princess Martha Louise and Durek Verrett in Geiranger in August 2024.’
Princess Martha Louise is not allowed to use her title for commercial gain, and it was at first reported that while OHD generally collaborates on products it makes with celebrities, the couple’s gin had already been in the brand’s line before it was associated with them.
However, according to a letter written by (OHD) to the Norwegian directorate of health, seen by Aftenposten, the princess may have been more involved in the creation of the product than initially thought.
The pair shared a kiss in front of press and onlookers after the ceremony – on their lavish wedding day
Princess Martha and husband Durek greeted people from a balcony as they got married last week
This letter said that not only were the princess and her partner involved in the design process when it came to the label, it was the royal’s idea to sell the product to the public via the state-run Vinmonopolet alcohol retailer.
OHD had written to the Norwegian directorate of health as it was investigating the product ‘as part of [its] mandate to supervise compliance with the Norwegian prohibition against advertising of alcoholic beverages’.
An invitation to the product’s launch, which was sent to the press, said: ‘Martha Louise and Durek Verrett will present their unique gin and drink made especially for the wedding.’
Attorney Thomas Benson, at Angell law firm, is a specialist in alcohol law. He told Norwegian outlet VG: ‘Seen in isolation, the invitation is not a breach. But when you highlight the gin and this one special product becomes the main focus of the event itself, this is a clear violation.’
Reports say the gin was pulled from Vinmonopolet on the Thursday morning.
A further controversy that emerged following the big day is that the princess arranged a ‘makeshift clothes shop’ inside the hotel that was hosting the reception, according to Se og Hør.
The outlet says that items from the latest collection from clothing brand Hést! were on sale next to the couple’s gift table. The princess owns a large stake in the brand, which she founded five years ago with two friends.
According to the outlet, it says ‘several sources’ said there were two Hést employees selling the clothing at the pop-up store.
Despite the controversies, guests appeared to enjoy the wedding reception, which didn’t wrap up until 3am.
The princess’ father King Harald, who is 87 years old and in frail health, did not return to his royal yacht, which was anchored by the shoreline of the Geirangerfjord until after 1am.
Queen Sonja, also 87, told newsman waiting at the quayside they had enjoyed the gala dinner.
Heir-apparent Crown Prince Haakon, his wife Princess Mette-Marit and their children Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus, stayed until the end – leaving the party at 3am.
They were pictured waving to newsmen as they headed to the royal yacht, that has been protected by a Norwegian Navy vessel. Princess Mette-Marit said: ‘There were many highlights [at the wedding].’
Queen Sonja and Crown Prince Haakon both gave speeches during the wedding breakfast. But not King Harald, who had given the wedding address at his daughter’s first marriage to author Ari Behn in 2002.
The four-day marriage celebrations concluded today with a lavish brunch at 1pm.
Guests were then transported by bus and ferry to Ålesund airport, some two and a half hours away.
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