Princess Martha Louise of Norway and Durek Verrett wed in partly ‘American-style’ ceremony, with ‘tearful’ groom pledging to ‘love the royal’s children as much as she does’

Princess Martha Louise of Norway and Durek Verrett tied the knot in a ceremony boasting traditional Norwegian elements as well as an ‘American-style’ service.

Guests left the marriage ceremony tent shortly after 3pm local time, walking along a red carpet to the nearby hotel reception in Geiranger.

Some spoke to Norwegian TV channel VGTV about the service, describing some elements of the ceremony – including the vows.

One of the American guests revealed that the wedding was ‘absolutely beautiful’, adding that he ‘loved it’. According to the attendee, the event featured gospel music, as well as some hymns.  

Durek announced in June that Parish Priest Margit Lovise Holte would be officiating their marriage. Reverend Michael Beckwith, who has appeared on Oprah Winfrey’s Super Soul podcast was also involved, with the guest noting that the Los Angeles-based reverend had come to Norway to give an ‘American style sermon’.

The service, which was described as having some traditional Norwegian elements as well as an ‘American-style’ ceremony, was held in a marquee

Meanwhile another guest, called April, spoke to the network about the couple’s vows, saying they were ‘very sincere’.

‘Sometimes you go to a wedding and [the vows are] sort of cliche or pre written. Their vows were so from the heart, and they were honest and truthful and realistic with how relationships can be. And that was really moving to hear. They were so genuine,’ she added.

April noted that ‘everyone was in tears’, including the groom, who ‘choked up when he said his vows, and needed a moment’. 

She said what really stuck out to her during the vows was ‘how Derek said he understands how important Martha’s children are to her – her daughters – and how he would never stand in the way of that, and he’s there to support her and to love them just as much as she does’. 

‘That was really moving, because I know they’ve been through so much, and now Derek is a part of the royal family in Norway,’ April added.

As the guests filtered out of the ceremony, many were dressed in traditional Norwegian costume – black suits and white shirts for men and long black dresses, with embroidered blouses snd shawls for women.

Others wore dinner jackets with bow ties with women wearing cocktail dresses.

Well-wishers came from across Norway to give their blessing to the controversial marriage of Princess Martha Louise and Durek Verrett.

After the ceremony, it is believed that guests went to the Hotel Union (seen today during the nuptial do) where they attended the reception

The bride’s wedding look was being kept strictly under wraps as security held up sheets to curb any potential peeps of her dress as she entered the venue 

Among them was Birger Kirkhus, his wife Hege and their friends.

Mr Kirkhus, 62, accountant from Kristiansund, explained: ‘When we learned that the wedding was going to take place in Geiranger we booked a cabin nearby to make sure we were all here.

‘Like Princess Merte Marte, Crown Prince Hakon’s wife, we are from Kristiansund.

‘And so today we are all weather traditional sweaters in the design of southern Norway to celebrate this.

‘When the future queen went into the ceremony she recognised us and waved at us.

‘It’s a wonderful day. We’re all so happy that we made the effort to come.’  

Princess Martha Louise took to Instagram last year to reveal the wedding location.

She wrote: ‘We are incredibly happy to be able to celebrate our love in Geiranger’s beautiful surroundings. It means a lot to us to gather our loved ones in a place so rich in history and intense nature experiences. Geiranger is the perfect place to embrace our love.’

The wedding was held at Hotel Union in Geiranger village, a four-star hotel that has a spa, indoor and outdoor pools, its own nightclub and even a vintage car museum. 

Tomorrow is the final day of Martha Louise and Durek’s wedding as they wrap up the festivities starting with breakfast from 8am-10am.

After breakfast, guests will be taken on another shuttle from Grande Fjordhotel back to the Hotel Union for a brunch with warm and cold dishes until 1pm before checkout. 

From there, the bride and groom have provided buses from guests respective hotels at Alesund airport.

Guests were concealed behind walls of sheets as they left their hotel and got into cars taking them to the wedding tent

A makeshift white tent is set up outside the marquee before the wedding, so the bride could hide from cameras

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.

But things have not been easy for the princess, as she was forced to leave her role as a working member of the royal family because of her fiancé’s controversial views.

Durek stated that he believed that childhood cancer is caused by unhappiness in a book he wrote.

He published ‘Spirit Hacking’ in 2019 in the US, but publishers banned it in Norway over the unsubstantial claims.

After reading a translation of the book from its original English, the publishing house said at the time they were shocked by a number of unproven statements made by Durek in the book.