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Princess Märtha Louise, 51, the eldest daughter of King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway, has decided to quit royal duties to “differentiate more clearly between her own activities and her relationship to the Royal House of Norway“. The move means Märtha Louise will not be carrying out official duties for the Royal Family at the present time.
The organisations previously under her patronage will be offered the patronage of other members of the Royal Family.
Stepping down from royal duties alongside her fiancé, Durek Verrett, 47, the Princess has a reported staggering net worth she has earned through her career as a writer.
According to Idol Net Worth, Märtha Louise has a reported net worth of £17million.
She has earned this money as a private businesswoman and alternative therapist.
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Princess Martha Louise of Norway – net worth (Image: SPLASH NEWS / GETTY)
Princess Martha Louise began dating Durek Verrett in 2019 (Image: SPLASH NEWS)
However, she will no longer carry out official engagements on behalf of the royal house or represent her charities as a patron.
Her parents, King Harald V and Queen Sonja, thanked their only daughter for her contributions.
The statement read in part: “The King and Queen wish to thank Princess Märtha Louise for the important work she has carried out in her official capacity for several decades.
“She has performed her duties with warmth, care and deep commitment.”
It further confirmed: “In accordance with The King’s wishes, the Princess will keep her title. The Princess will continue to serve as chair of the board of Princess Märtha Louise’s Fund.”
Martha Louise announced her engagement to Durek Verrett, a self-described shaman, in June of this year.
The couple has been known to perform seminars called: “The Princess and the Shaman”, which have been criticised by some royal traditionalists.
Mr Verrett has faced strong criticism in Norway and has been characterised by Norwegian media and other critics as a conman.
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Martha is the King and Queen of Norway’s eldest child (Image: GETTY)
In 2019, Märtha-Louise, herself a self-described clairvoyant, decided in consultation with her family not to use her Princess title in connection with her business activities.
Back in 2002, when the Princess began a private professional life, she lost the style “Royal Highness” in front of her name.
This week’s statement further noted: “When Durek Verrett and Princess Märtha Louise are married, Mr Verrett will become a part of the Royal Family – as did Erling Lorentzen, Johan Martin Ferner and Ari Behn.
“But in accordance with tradition he will not have a title or represent the Royal House of Norway.
“Princess Martha Louise and Durek Verrett will attend important family-related gatherings, such as birthday celebrations, as well as certain major sporting events that the Royal Family traditionally attends together.”
Märtha Louise was previously married to author Ari Behn. The couple welcomed three daughters together, Maud Angelica, Leah Isadora and Emma Tallulah, before their divorce in 2017.
Tragically, Ari died on Christmas Day in 2019.
Princess Märtha Louise is the eldest child of the King and Queen of Norway, however, due to the Norwegian constitution at the time, her younger brother Crown Prince Haakon is the heir to the throne.
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