Princess Märtha Louise of Norway and her husband Durek Verrett have filed a lawsuit in the United States against former friends and family members, alleging defamation and breach of confidentiality agreements. The claim, filed jointly, seeks damages of up to £60 million, equivalent to around $80 million or roughly 533 million Danish kroner.
Lawsuit Filed in Los Angeles
The lawsuit was confirmed by the princess's manager, Carina Scheele Carlsen, to Norwegian media VG. Court papers from the Los Angeles County Superior Court indicate the legal action was taken after a breach of trust. Those named in the suit are believed to include Durek's former girlfriend, former manager, former friend, and even a half-sister.
According to Berlingske, ten additional individuals or actors not identified in the court documents are also part of the lawsuit. The couple's American lawyer, Richard Roth, said in a statement to VG: "Our clients' reputations have been judged by the public for years. Now the facts must be verified in a court of law."
Recent Personal Challenges
The lawsuit follows a difficult period for the couple. Durek recently underwent a kidney transplant and is still believed to be recovering. The couple also faced heartbreaking losses, including the death of Märtha's father, King Harald, at the end of August at age 89. A few days later, her aunt, Princess Astrid, passed away.
Despite these losses, the couple's bond appears strong. On September 22, Durek posted a loving birthday message to Märtha on social media, writing: "Happy birthday, my beloved Märtha. Today, the world celebrates the day you were born, but I celebrate the miracle that you exist."
The princess has not personally commented on the lawsuit. She has not always been a popular royal, and her husband has faced past accusations of quackery and of exploiting his connection to the Norwegian Royal Family for commercial gain.
