Crown Prince Haakon and Princess Mette-Marit party until 3am after his sister Princess Martha Louise’s controversial wedding to American shaman Durek Verrett

Senior members of the Norwegian royal family celebrated the controversial marriage of Princess Martha Louise to American shaman Durek Verrett until the early hours.

King Harald, an 87-year-old man in poor health, did not return to his royal yacht, which was anchored on the shore of the Geirangerfjord, until after 1 a.m.

Queen Sonja, who is also 87, told reporters waiting on the quay that they had enjoyed the gala dinner.

Crown Prince Haakon, his wife Princess Mette-Marit and their children Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus stayed until the end and left the party at 3am.

They were pictured waving to journalists as they made their way to the royal yacht, which was protected by a Norwegian navy ship. Princess Mette-Marit said: ‘There were many highlights [at the wedding].

Queen Sonja and Crown Prince Haakon both gave speeches at the wedding breakfast. But not King Harald, who gave the wedding speech at his daughter’s first wedding to author Ari Behn in 2002.

The four-day wedding celebration will conclude today with an extensive brunch until 1 p.m.

Guests are then taken by bus and ferry to Ålesund Airport, which is approximately a two and a half hour drive.

The bride and groom are expected to join the king and queen aboard the royal yacht and sail through the spectacular Geirangerfjord to Ålesund.

The newlyweds surprised the crowds on the street outside their wedding venue last night by kissing before the gala dinner.

Guests included social media influencers, reality stars and TV personalities as the Norwegian king’s eldest child married the American self-proclaimed shaman.

Martha Louise, 52, and Durek Verrett, 49, who claims to be a sixth-generation shaman from California, were married in the picturesque town of Geiranger, one of Norway’s biggest tourist attractions, situated on a fjord with stunning views.

The newlyweds had spontaneously taken a walk to thank the dozens of people who had come to the small village on the fjord to pay their respects.

Princess Martha Louise of Norway and Sharman Durek Verrett greet the press and public outside Hotel Union in Gieranger after their wedding

Swedish Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel walk outside Hotel Union in Vinjevollen on the day of the wedding of Norwegian Princess Martha Louise and Durek Verrett

Queen Sonja of Norway waves after the wedding of Norwegian Princess Martha Louise

Princess Martha Louise of Norway and Sharman Durek Verrett kiss and cheer outside Hotel Union in Gieranger, Norway

Crown Princess Mette-Marit, Prince Sverre Magnus and Amalie Giaever Macleod after the wedding of Durek Verrett and Princess Märtha Louise

The couple left the Union Hotel in Geiranger shortly after 6.30pm local time to loud applause from the crowd.

Families with young children, elderly residents and young couples waited for hours to see the princess and her new husband.

The newlyweds beamed with pride as they waved to the crowd before heading back to the hotel for the wedding breakfast – and the party that lasted into the early hours.

The wedding festivities began on Thursday, but the actual wedding ceremony took place yesterday afternoon in a large white tent set up on a farm meadow overlooking a spectacular fjord.

Guests told media that the event featured Norwegian and American artists, along with a gospel choir and a singer representing Norway’s indigenous people, the Sami.

Norwegian TV personality Harald Ronneberg told public broadcaster NRK: ‘It was fantastic! It was Hollywood meets Geiranger. It was gospel and love. We laughed, we clapped and we were moved. It was absolutely beautiful.’

Princess Martha Louise of Norway and her American groom Shaman Durek delighted the crowds lining the streets by sharing a kiss after their wedding

The couple exchanged a kiss in front of the press and bystanders after the ceremony

Princess Martha and her husband Durek greeted the people from a balcony

The couple sold the rights to the wedding photos to British celebrity magazine Hello! and the film rights to Netflix.

The deals have sparked protests in the Norwegian media, who claim the arrangement is against local customs.

The couple has often spoken out strongly to the press and promoted themselves on social media.