A new Netflix documentary is shining a global spotlight on Norway’s royal family, and stirring up debate at home.
Rebel Royals: An Unlikely Love Story follows the relationship between Princess Märtha Louise and American shaman Durek Verrett, mixing romance with questions of race, tradition and public life.
But the Norwegian royal household says the couple’s participation in the film breaks an agreement designed to keep their commercial activities separate from the monarchy.
A Royal Romance in the Spotlight
The new documentary, released worldwide on 16 September 2025, comes just a year after Märtha Louise and Verrett married in Geiranger, a spectacular fjordside village in western Norway.
Their wedding was a private event compared to royal ceremonies elsewhere in Europe, but it still drew significant media interest.
Now, Netflix gives viewers a behind-the-scenes look at their relationship, from the early days of public scrutiny to the celebrations of their wedding.
The film mixes intimate moments with broader questions about what it means to marry into a royal family that represents a modern, egalitarian society.
Watch the Rebel Royals Trailer
Wondering what all the fuss is about? You can watch the trailer for the documentary right here:
Now, carry on scrolling to read the full story, including the controversy.
Who Are the Rebel Royals?
Princess Märtha Louise is the daughter of King Harald V and Queen Sonja. Fourth in line to the throne, she has long lived at the intersection of royal duty and personal independence.
In 2002 she gave up her official style of “Her Royal Highness” to pursue a private career, including her work as an author and her interests in spirituality.
Durek Verrett is an American spiritual teacher and self-described shaman. His unconventional beliefs and public profile attracted both fascination and criticism in Norway.
When their relationship became public, it sparked debate about whether Verrett’s commercial activities were compatible with his royal connection.
In 2022, Märtha Louise stepped back from official duties to create clearer boundaries between her private life and the monarchy.
What the Documentary Reveals
At its heart, Rebel Royals is a love story. But the documentary also touches on deeper issues. Verrett speaks openly about experiencing racism in Norway and claims that some members of the royal family did not initially understand the problem.
Viewers see the couple receiving anonymous hate messages, highlighting the darker side of public life.
The program also examines the challenges of balancing tradition with freedom. Märtha Louise talks about her decision to pursue a more spiritual path and the cost of stepping outside expectations.
Their story is presented as a test case of how modern monarchies adapt to diversity and individuality. Yet while international viewers may see it as a candid love story, the reaction in Norway has been far more complex.
The Palace Pushes Back
In Norway, however, the palace’s response was swift. Communications chief Guri Varpe told NRK that Märtha Louise and Verrett’s participation in Rebel Royals “is a breach of the agreement they have with the royal household.”
That 2022 agreement states that neither the princess nor her husband may use her title or royal status for commercial purposes, including media productions.
Varpe stressed that the palace did not contribute to the Netflix series. “Everyone should have the right to tell their own story,” she said, “but the royal household wants a clearer separation between the couple’s activities and the monarchy.”
Disputed Wedding Footage
Controversy intensified when it emerged that early versions of the documentary included a clip of Crown Prince Haakon speaking with Verrett at the wedding festivities.
The Royal Family had specifically refused Netflix permission to film private moments at the celebrations where other media were not allowed.
King Harald has previously criticised the commercialisation of the event, saying: “We don’t want the royal family to be for sale,” after it was revealed that the couple had sold exclusive rights to Hello! magazine and Netflix.
Following palace intervention, Netflix removed the disputed clip before the series went public.
Märtha Louise and Verrett Respond
Facing criticism from both the palace and commentators, the couple have now spoken out and acknowledged the seriousness of the situation.
In a statement to NRK, they said there were “without doubt things we wish we had handled differently,” while stressing they were not producers of the film and had no control over the final cut.
“We care deeply for every member of the royal family,” they wrote, “and it pains us if anything in this process has caused them harm.”
At the same time, they insisted that telling their story would be impossible without acknowledging Märtha Louise’s royal identity.
A Divisive Reaction
The Netflix release has split opinion in Norway. Supporters praise the documentary for raising issues around race, mental health, and the pressures of being in the public eye.
Critics see it as a thinly veiled commercial venture that leans heavily on royal status, in conflict with the 2022 agreement.
Aftenposten commentator Harald Stanghelle described the series as “a purely commercial affair” that undermines efforts to draw a line between the couple’s private life and the monarchy. Crown Princess Mette-Marit has already suggested that discussions within the palace are inevitable.
What It Means for Norway
The documentary highlights a broader tension in Norwegian society: how to reconcile a modern, egalitarian monarchy with the personal choices of its members.
Norway’s royals are expected to embody humility and unity, yet their lives are inevitably shaped by personal ambitions, media deals and international attention.
For many international viewers, Rebel Royals may be their first introduction to Norway’s royal family. For Norwegians, it is another reminder of how even symbolic institutions can become flashpoints in debates over identity, commercialism, and tradition.
Whether praised as a love story or criticised as a breach of trust, Rebel Royals ensures that Märtha Louise and Verrett’s marriage remains part of a wider debate about Norway’s monarchy, its values, and its future.
