It is perhaps the most extraordinary love match a European royal family has ever experienced.
This week, in a spectacular three-day celebration culminating in a wedding ceremony against a breathtaking backdrop of mountains, fjords and waterfalls, Princess Märtha Louise of Norway will marry Durek Verrett, the charismatic Californian spiritual healer she first encountered in unusual circumstances six years ago.
In a world exclusive, HELLO! and HOLA! will be there to cover this unique occasion as members of the Norwegian royal family and their 350 guests gather in Geiranger on the west coast of Norway to witness their special union.
“We’re very excited,” Princess Märtha, fourth in line to the throne as the daughter of King Harald V and Queen Sonja, tells us as we catch up with them for a photo shoot at Villa Munch at the Ramme Fjordhotell – artist Edvard Munch’s summerhouse near Oslo – ahead of the festivities.
“It feels amazing to be marrying Durek and I’m so happy the day is almost here. The surroundings where we’ll marry are gorgeous – it’s one of the most beautiful places I know.
“Even if there are a few glitches, we can still gaze at the stunning scenery,” she laughs.
Pausing to reflect, the 52-year-old mum of three, who was married to the late author Ari Behn – father of their daughters Maud, 21, Leah, 19, and Emma, 16 – for 15 years, before their divorce in 2017, continues: “I had decided not to get married again. But after meeting Durek in 2018, I changed my mind.”
Her bright blue eyes light up as her fiancé – a whirlwind of emotion and energy in stripy trousers and a multi-coloured denim jacket that reflects his expressive personality – breezes in and kisses her hand.
“I’ve been practising my vows,” he tells us proudly, although his bride-to-be admits with a wry smile: “I haven’t done mine yet.”
PERSONAL VOWS
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة September 02, 2024 من HELLO! UK.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة September 02, 2024 من HELLO! UK.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
STARS TURN OUT FOR THE EARTHSHOT PRIZE THE PRINCE OF WALES ROYAL HEADS TO CAPE TOWN FOR PRESTIGIOUS AWARDS CEREMONY
The Prince of Wales's love for Africa is well known: it is where he spent his gap year before heading to university.
FAMOUS NAMES TURN OUT FOR HALLOWEEN FRIGHT NIGHT STARS GO THE EXTRA MILE FOR SPOOKY STYLE
It may have been spooky season, but that was no excuse for stylish celebrities to abandon their sartorial flair.
BIDDING A BITTERSWEET FAREWELL TO 'VENOM' TRILOGY TOM HARDY ON FLYING HIGH, LOSING HIS TEMPER AND BEING INSPIRED IN HIS CHILLING MARVEL ROLE BY SON LOUIS
When Tom Hardy attended the UK premiere of Venom: The Last Dance in London, he was accompanied by a very special fan.
STARRING IN A NEW LOVE STORY WITH LIAM HEMSWORTH LAURA DERN TALKS OF THEIR CONNECTION - AND WHY VULNERABLE WOMEN ARE SUPERHEROES
The beautiful and dramatic scenery of Morocco's Atlas Mountains is the backdrop for Laura Dern's new film Lonely Planet, a love story in which she plays novelist Katherine opposite Liam Hemsworth's private equity hotshot Owen.
GRANDDAUGHTER OF LADY PAMELA HICKS MADDISON MAY BRUDENELL AND BRET KAPETANOV UNITE THEIR DIFFERENT WORLDS! IN SOCIETY COUNTRY WEDDING
In a heartwarming ceremony filled with love, Lady Pamela Hicks's granddaughter Maddison May Brudenell said: \"I will\" at a 15th-century village church in one of the most extraordinary society weddings of the year - and HELLO! was there to witness the historic occasion.
SPEAKING OUT IN POWERFUL NEW DOCUMENTARY THE QUEEN SHOWS HER PASSIONATE COMMITMENT TO SUPPORTING VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC ABUSE AND THEIR FAMILIES
The Queen has vowed to keep fighting for victims of domestic saying: Keep until I am able to no more.\"
PRINCESS BEATRICE AND NUTRITIONIST GABRIELA PEACOCK
HOW THE FRIENDS ARE SHARING THEIR PREGNANCY JOURNEY TOGETHER
AMERICA'S STYLE ELITE IS OUT IN FORCE FASHION'S FINEST A-LISTERS DIAL UP THE GLAMOUR TO HONOUR TOP DESIGNERS IN NEW YORK
Hollywood stars rubbed shoulders with New York's style elite as America's fashion industry gathered to honour some of its top designers.
LEGENDARY DANCER WAYNE SLEEP REFLECTS ON A LIFE IN THE SPOTLIGHT AND HOW BALLET LED HIM INTO SHOWBIZ
He has danced with some of the greatest legends of ballet, partied with the biggest names in showbusiness and performed with royalty.
SPORTY, INTELLIGENT AND SHOWING AN IMPRESSIVE SENSE OF STYLE LADY LOUISE SHINES LIKE A JEWEL IN THE ROYAL CROWN AS SHE TURNS 21
As she celebrates her 21st birthday this week, Lady Louise Mountbatten Windsor is growing up into an engaging young woman.
