Copenhagen. Princess Märtha Louise of Norway will marry American self-professed shaman Durek Verret on Saturday in southern Norway, despite recent controversies.

The wedding comes amid criticism of the couple's unconventional beliefs and the Norwegian royal family's recent scandals, including allegations against Marius Borg Høiby, the stepson of Crown Princess Mette-Marit. Høiby, who has no royal duties or titles, has confessed to drug use and assault.

Märtha Louise, 52, and Verret, 49, became engaged in 2022. Although she has resigned from official royal duties to focus on her engagement, she retains her title. Verret, who claims shamanic abilities, will not receive royal titles or duties.

In a 2019 deal, Märtha Louise and Verret agreed not to use her connection to the royal house or her title for commercial purposes.

But earlier this year Märtha Louise labeled bottles of gin with her title and launched the brand in time for the wedding, defying King Harald V's directive that she should not profit from her royal status. The label was eventually changed.

The couple also sold their wedding photo rights to a British celebrity magazine and the film rights to Netflix. The deals prompted protests from Norwegian media, which says it goes against local practices. The couple has often lashed out against the press while promoting themselves on social media.

Meanwhile, Marius Borg Høiby, the eldest son of Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit and Crown Prince Haakon's stepson, is suspected of causing bodily harm and criminal damage. He has confessed that he was intoxicated and was taking cocaine when he was briefly arrested Aug. 6 in Oslo. Borg Høiby, who is the son of Mette-Marit from a previous relationship, has no royal titles or official duties.

The scandal, along with the upcoming royal wedding, have seriously eroded support for the Norwegian monarchy. King Harald V has remained silent about the issues.

Saturday's wedding in Geiranger, a UNESCO World Heritage site, will be attended by the Norwegian royal family and Swedish Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel. Danish royalty, however, will not be present.

The Norwegian political climate is tense, with some advocating for a constitutional change to abolish the monarchy, citing recent scandals as evidence of its challenges. A proposal to this effect will be discussed next month, though it faces uncertain support.

Märtha Louise has three children from her previous marriage to Ari Behn, whom she divorced in 2017. Her brother, Crown Prince Haakon, is next in line to the throne.

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