Norwegians share mixed views ahead of Princess Martha Louise of Norway and Durek Verrett’s wedding today – with some criticising the couple and others wishing them well
Princess Martha Louise of Norway and shaman Durek Verrett received mixed reviews from locals today as the pair arrived in a coastal town in preparation for their wedding.
Princess Martha Louise and her husband-to-be arrived today in the picturesque town of Geirganger, where locals reacted with scepticism. The couple began the third day of their wedding celebrations there.
A halibut fisherman accused the 49-year-old American of “exploiting” the Norwegian royal family and a carpenter condemned the 52-year-old princess for being “as crazy as her shaman.”
Not everyone was so negative, however: a handyman welcomed the ceremony today, while a waitress in a cafe claimed the royal wedding had put the region on the map.
King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway were guests of honour at the pre-wedding reception at Hotel 1904 in Ålesund on the country’s west coast on Thursday, ahead of the wedding ceremony in the spectacular fjord village of Geirganger later today.
Norwegian fisherman Roger Mor (pictured) said he is ‘not happy’ with the marriage between Princess Martha Louise and Durek Verrett
Cafe waitress Øyvar Melsaeter (pictured) said the wedding had put the area on the map, which she said was exciting for locals.
Princess Martha Louise and her future husband, shaman Durek Verrett, received a mixed reception from locals today as the pair arrived at a seaside resort in preparation for their wedding (the couple were pictured yesterday)
Princess Martha Louise (pictured yesterday with shaman Durek Verrett) is controversial among some Norwegians because of some of her spiritual views
But the arrival of the royal party was received with mixed feelings by members of this historic fishing community.
Halibut fisherman Roger Mor, 60, told MailOnline: ‘I am not happy about Princess Martha Louise’s marriage to his American husband, Durek.
“I think he’s exploiting her and the royal family.”
Carpenter Torkil Wullf, 34, said: ‘Princess Martha Louise is also a fantasist.
‘It is common knowledge that she claims to be able to talk to angels. I think she is as crazy as her shaman Durek.
‘Most Norwegians find this whole marriage a disgrace.
‘The rest of the royal family thinks much more carefully about their actions.’
Meanwhile, handyman Jon Juliebør, 46, wished the unlikely couple all the best.
Handyman Jon Juliebor (pictured) said the princess has “always been eccentric” and he wishes the couple all the best
Shortly after buying fresh fish on the quayside in Ålesund, he told MailOnline: ‘I think they sell nice fish.
‘Princess Martha Louise has always been eccentric.
‘She is the eldest child of King Harald, but she would never become queen because she was a girl.
‘Her brother, Prince Haakon, is going to be king, even though he’s younger than her, so I think that had an influence on her.’
18-year-old waitress Øyvar Melsaeter saw the positive sides of the couple’s marriage.
The couple (pictured the day before their wedding) provoked mixed reactions, with some criticizing their union, while others wished them well
She claimed that the wedding party, who had taken a sightseeing tour of the Geirangerfjord from Ålesund, had put this remote coastal town on the map.
She said: ‘I think it’s wonderful that the princess has come to Ålesund and is getting married in the village of Geirganer.
‘The wedding really put us on the map.
‘I don’t know much about her shaman Durek, but I hope they will be happy together.
“It’s all very exciting for the people who live here.”