Princess Märtha Louise, Norway’s King Harald’s daughter, announced Tuesday, Nov. 8, that she will no longer officially represent the Norwegian royal house due to “many questions relating to my and my fiancé’s role,” glamsquad reports.
The 51-year-old princess, who is fourth in line to the Norwegian throne, proposed in June to Durek Verrett, an American who describes himself on his website as a shaman and healer.
At least one foundation that had Märtha Louise as a patron later severed ties with the princess.
The Princess has now issued a statement announcing her retirement from royal duties.
“I have decided that for the time being, I will no longer carry out official duties for the royal household,” she said in a palace statement, adding that the decision was made in consultation with her parents “to create peace around the royal household.”
The princess will keep her title, but the palace said she informed the organizations where she was still a patron that she was stepping down.
Crown Prince Haakon, her 49-year-old younger brother, is the heir to the throne.
“I am sorry that the princess will no longer represent the royal house,” Harald said at a press conference on the subject.
“We agree to disagree,” the 82-year-old king said.
Queen Sonja, his wife, added;
“We examined the process from every angle. This decision was reached unanimously.”
The couple will “clarify the distinction between their own activities and the royal household,” according to the palace statement, and will not use the title of princess or refer to royals in social media or commercial activity.
According to Bo Gleditsch, secretary-general of the Norwegian Rheumatism Association, it was “an orderly and wise decision from our patron.”
“She resolved this on her own initiative, which is commendable,” Gleditsch told NTB.
Märtha Louise and Verrett have been accused by Norwegian media of exploiting her royal title for commercial gain while also promoting alternative healthcare methods.
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Märtha Louise stated on Instagram, “I believe that alternative methods can be an important supplement to established medicine.”
According to the statement, Verrett, 47, will not have a title or represent Norway’s royal house when he marries Märtha Louise. According to Norwegian media, the couple has been together since May 2019 and will attend family-related and traditional royal events.
Märtha Louise’s first marriage, which ended in 2016, produced three daughters. The palace did not say whether Märtha Louise’s change would affect her daughters.