Princess Märtha Louise of Norway faces backlash after announcing romance with Gwyneth Paltrow’s spiritual advisor
Princess Märtha Louise of Norway is dating an L.A.-based shaman who has roster of famous clients, including Gwyneth Paltrow.
Two years after her divorce, the 47-year-old daughter of King Harald V and Queen Sonja shared on Instagram that she is “in love” after meeting her “twin flame.” The lucky man is Shaman Durek, a spiritual guide and healer who has worked with Paltrow and Selma Blair.
“When you meet your twin flame, you know,” wrote the mom of three, who’s fourth in line to the throne in Norway. “I have been lucky enough to have met mine. [Shaman Durek] has changed my life, like he does with so many. He has made me realize that unconditional love actually exists here on this planet. He embraces all of me without question or fear. He makes me laugh more than anyone, has the most profound wisdom to share and all the bits in between from the diversity of his being. I feel so happy and blessed that he is my boyfriend.”
Her announcement was met with criticism — Durek, 43, was called a “conman” for his non-medicinal healing practices and she was told that, “If a princess wants to love shaman she” should give up her “princess title. Poor Norway!” Though she wasn’t having any of that.
“To those of you who feel the need to criticize: Hold your horses. It is not up to you to choose for me or to judge me. I don’t choose my man to satisfy any of you or the norms or boxes you have chosen in your mind for me to be in. I don’t thrive there, nor do I exist in your illusion about me. I choose from love.” She added that Shaman Durek “fulfills” her and said that she’s “super happy.”
He posted an equally gushing post soon too.
The princess was married to Norwegian author Ari Behn from 2002 until they announced their split in 2016. They have three daughters: Maud Angelica, 16, Leah Isadora, 14, and Emma Tallulah, 10.
Shaman Durek was born in Northern California to an African-Haitian father and an East Indian-Norwegian mother, according to his author bio on Goop. He “comes from a long lineage of spiritual practitioners including Seven Day Adventist ministers, oracles and spiritualist faith healers,” and showed “his natural abilities as a healer at a young age.
He’s been touted at “Gwyneth Paltrow’s spiritual advisor,” but has said the Oscar winner “grooms me to be a better man.” He is close with her whole family, once posting a birthday tribute to her son Moses and talked about how they meditated together and “use our shamanic powers.”
Blair appeared on his Instagram Live Soul Talk last year.
Princess Märtha Louise was previously criticized for an association with British clairvoyant Lisa Williams in 2014 earning the nickname “Norway's Princess of the Paranormal.”
King Harald spoke out about his daughter’s romance on Tuesday. He said that he and his wife hadn’t met Shaman Durek yet but look forward to it, and added that he was happy his daughter found love again.
BREAKING: King Harald just told the press that he has not met Princess Märtha's boyfriend, but that he is looking forward to meeting him and it was nice that his daughter has a boyfriend. pic.twitter.com/XiCD0x7yY5
— Oskar Aanmoen 🇳🇴 (@OAanmoen) May 14, 2019
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