The Princess and the Shaman sounds like a modern-day fairytale that somebody just made up - but, we promise you, we haven’t. Because Norway's Princess Märtha Louise has recently confirmed that she's dating Shaman Durek Verrett - but wait, that’s not even the most interesting part - because Shaman Durek is a "spiritual guide" to celebrities like Nina Dobrev and Gwyneth Paltrow. (And the pair are even going on a tour - which is titled The Princess and the Shaman - to give inspirational speeches.)
Confirming the news with some cute portraits, the 47-year-old royal daughter of King Harald V and Queen Sonja wrote in a (incredibly soppy) Instagram caption, ‘When you meet your twin flame, you know. I have been lucky enough to have met mine. @shamandurek has changed my life, like he does with so many.’ The rest of the caption is truly cringey, but, if you want to read it, look to the embedded post below.
So, what does Gwyneth have to do in all of this? Well, Shaman Durek calls the Goop founder his ‘soul sis’ - and the lifestyle guru has featured him on her website numerous times. Last year, he posted a selfie of the pair to Facebook, with the gushing caption, ‘@gwynethpaltrow is not just a Hollywood actress. She is a true visionary. A women who is not afraid to dive into the depth of the human spirit and say "what more"? After her conscious uncoupling she became a single mother who’s passion for her kids and love of home led her to look deep into her own inner callings of wellness and what is lifestyle. This created @goop however she doesn't stop there even when the press slams her, she keeps going to live out her visions. She truly believes she can make a difference in peoples lives and will not stop educating the world in what she finds for herself. She's an activist and stands up for what she believes in no matter what. She is a dear friend who grooms me to be better man and keeps me honest not to mention nutures me when I'm burned out.’
After ending her 14-year marriage to Ari Behn in 2016, it’s believed Princess Martha was Shaman Durek's client before they got together. A bio of the Shaman reads that he is ‘a spiritual guide and gifted healer, [who] acts as a mediator or ‘bridge’ between the spiritual and physical planes, applies ancient spiritual wisdom, coupled with decades of devoted study and practice, to help bring success, happiness and healing into people's lives.’
As Elle reports, eerily, he’s previously claimed on Instagram that his mum predicted he’d end up with a Norwegian princess. ‘My mother told me that one day someone from her heritage in Norway would find me and bring so much joy in my heart,’ he wrote. ‘I asked her “who mother”? “She said a princess.” I laughed and said “ok a princess whatever mother your funny.” Well she was right my kindred spirit found me.’
We're expecting Gwyneth on tour!