The above description has caused a bit of a heated discussion. This kerfuffle comes on the heels of the wedding of Märtha Louise, a member of the Norwegian royal family, to Durek Verrett, an American spiritual teacher known for his provocative ideas. The couple’s union has indeed set off conversations about the royals’ roles. It has led to discussion on issues of racism, inclusivity, and the dangers of encouraging pseudoscientific ideas.
Märtha Louise’s decision to marry Verrett had followed her recent resignation from her formal royal obligations. This shift was critical for her. It gave her the political room to continue doubling down on that relationship, which has earned her both praise and scorn. Verrett’s track record in promoting other pseudoscientific wares, from charms he touted to ward off Covid-19, to … His comments have been controversial, not least of which was his claim that childhood cancer is a result of children being unhappy.
The couple’s relationship has drawn a mixed response from the Norwegian public. We’re seeing a lot of folks rushing to the royal family’s defense against these harmful accusations thrown at Verrett. Critics have been vocal about his past comments and actions, which include facing racist abuse and making controversial statements that challenge traditional beliefs. Verrett himself has written about his experiences with prejudice, arguing that most people in Norway do not understand systemic racism.
“Most people who are white are trained to listen to white people and not to people of colour. Her father, her mom, her brother … they didn’t even know what racism was. They would look at me like I was crazy when I would say there’s racism.” – Durek Verrett
King Harald and Queen Sonja have been champions for diversity and inclusion in Norway for decades. While we celebrate their commitment to fostering an open society, we’re just as inspired by their ongoing journey to acknowledge and address the issues of racism and exclusion. In a deeply moving New Year’s Eve address in 2007, King Harald drove home that important point. As he put it, “We are reminded everyday that our humanity and respect for each other is not guaranteed.” He underscored the urgent need to challenge xenophobia and prejudice. He agreed that these biases frequently stem from ingrained societal perceptions.
In the 2016 film, King Harald rejoiced in Norway’s multifaceted and colorful homeland. He proclaimed that “Norwegians have arrived from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Poland, Sweden, Somalia and Syria.” This celebration of Norway’s multicultural tapestry is in keeping with the royal family’s long history of outspokenness promoting inclusivity, acceptance, and representation.
Even with these efforts, Verrett’s marriage to Märtha Louise has been anything but ordinary. Critics are right to raise alarms over his advancement of pseudoscientific claims. They are especially taking him to task for his previous attacks on King Harald and Queen Sonja on national and international stages. Remarks like these have only added fuel to an already incendiary situation.
Verrett’s actions have not gone unnoticed. Many Norwegians undermined his marketing tactics by criticizing his outlandish claims on health and wellness. The public discourse surrounding his involvement with Märtha Louise has raised questions about the implications for the royal family’s image and responsibilities.
Others argue in support of the couple’s freedom to seek their own happiness. Some others argue that Verrett’s controversial, extremist views are deeply incompatible with the traditional values espoused by the royal family. Märtha Louise’s decision to marry him has sparked a very active public debate about what this means for modern monarchy in Norway.
Amid the royal family’s difficulties with this latest controversy, it’s important to recognize Durek Verrett’s experiences of racism. His personal narrative sheds light on institutional problems that plague present-day Norwegian society. It dares the audience—both the public as well as the monarchy—to enter difficult, uncomfortable conversations about race and inclusivity.
“Norwegians have come from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Poland, Sweden, Somalia and Syria.” – King Harald