Princess Martha Louise of Norway and shaman Durek Verrett were greeted with enthusiasm by locals as the pair arrived in a coastal town ahead of their wedding today.
Princess Martha Louise and her husband-to-be arrived in the picturesque town of Geirganger today to sceptical locals as the couple began the third day of their wedding celebrations.
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.”
However, not everyone was so negative, as one handyman welcomed today’s ceremony, while a waitress at a cafe claimed the royal wedding had put the local area on the map.
Norway’s King Harald V and Queen Sonja were guests of honour at a pre-wedding reception at Hotel 1904 in Ålesund on the country’s west coast on Thursday, ahead of a wedding ceremony in the spectacular fjordside village of Geirganger later today.
Norwegian fisherman Roger Mor (pictured) said he was “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 husband-to-be, shaman Durek Verrett, were greeted with a mixed attitude by locals as the pair arrived in a coastal town ahead of their wedding today (the couple are 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 entourage was greeted with mixed feelings by members of this historic fishing community.
Halibut fisherman Roger Mør, 60, told MailOnline: ‘I am not happy about Princess Martha Louise’s marriage to her American man, 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 well known that she claims to be able to speak to angels. I think she is as crazy as her shaman Durek.
‘Most Norwegians think this marriage is a disgrace.
‘The rest of the royal family are much more thoughtful 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 wishes the couple all the best.
Shortly after buying fresh fish on the quayside in Ålesund, he told MailOnline: “I think it’s good.”
‘Princess Martha Louise has always been eccentric.
‘She is King Harald’s eldest daughter, but she was never going to become monarch because she was a girl.
“Her brother, Prince Haakon, is going to become king, even though he is younger than her, so I think that has affected her.”
Coffee shop waitress Øyvar Melsaeter, 18, saw the positive aspects of the couple’s marriage.
The couple (pictured the day before their wedding) generated mixed reviews: some criticised their union and others wished them the best.
She said the wedding group, who had taken a sightseeing tour of Geirangerfjord from Ålesund, had put the remote coastal town on the map.
She said: ‘I think it’s fantastic 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’re happy together.
“It’s all very exciting for the people who live here.”
