Courtesy of Netflix
Shaman Durek Verrett and Princess Martha Louise in ‘Rebel Royals’
NEED TO KNOW
Netflix is set to premiere Rebel Royals: An Unlikely Love Story on Sept. 16, 2025, a docuseries chronicling the whirlwind romance of Princess Märtha Louise of Norway and American shaman Durek Verrett
The series follows the couple in the lead-up to their August 2024 wedding
PEOPLE has the exclusive trailer, providing a first look at the upcoming Netflix show, where Shaman Durek says, “It’s not easy being the first Black man marrying into the European royal family”
Another royal couple’s love story is headed to Netflix.
On Sept. 16, 2025, the streamer will premiere Rebel Royals: An Unlikely Love Story, spotlighting the unconventional romance between Princess Märtha Louise of Norway and American Shaman Durek Verrett. In a trailer shared exclusively with PEOPLE, the couple opens up about the challenges of love, royalty — and what it means to welcome an outsider into the royal fold.
“Marrying into the royal family, it’s just very, very surreal,” says Shaman Durek, 50, in the clip.
Princess Märtha Louise, 53, adds, “The royal family is very, very loved. They were like, ‘Who is this man and who is taking our princess?”
The daughter of King Harald and Queen Sonja of Norway — who renounced her royal role in 2022 — reflects, “A lot of people expected me to be a certain way and live up to what I’m supposed to be, and I don’t.”
Recalling his first meeting with the King and Queen, Durek says they “were just staring at me.”
“It’s not easy being the first Black man marrying into the European royal family, and I’m the first,” he continues, adding that the press does not like him.
Princess Märtha Louise adds, “Because he’s a shaman, they say that he’s dangerous for the royal family and that I’m brainwashed.”
The series traces their love story, including how the princess fell for Durek first.
“I was a little apprehensive because I thought maybe I’m going to end up with a man,” he admits. “As far as I’m concerned, it doesn’t matter if it’s a male or a female or it could be another being from another planet.”
Courtesy of Netflix
Princess Martha Louise and Shaman Durek Verrett in ‘Rebel Royals’
They also share never-before-seen moments from their wedding planning in the lead-up to their 2024 nuptials.
Director Rebecca Chaiklin, who also helmed Tiger King, said: “When I saw the Vanity Fair article about a princess and a shaman falling in love, it instantly caught my eye. Märtha Louise and Shaman Durek were two completely unexpected, wild, and charismatic characters from totally different worlds, navigating a swirl of controversy and fighting for love. It was a great fish-out-of-water story – and they were so funny. So I just had to convince them (and the spirits) that I was ‘lit’ enough to be the one to tell their story.”
The announcement of the series came via Durek’s social media on Aug. 22. “Not every crown fits the mold. Not every love follows the rules. Not every royal story stays in the palace,” he wrote in the caption.
“A love that dared to defy expectations. A union written in spirit and courage. Now brought to the world with the brilliance only Netflix can deliver,” he added. “Lit family, this is our story too. A reminder that love wins, spirit shines, and truth always breaks through tradition. Watch it, feel it, share it. Let’s make the world see what real royalty looks like.”
The docuseries, produced by Rebecca Chaiklin, Chris Smith and Stacy Smith, dives deep into the couple’s relationship in the lead-up to their divisive wedding, which took place in August 2024. The multiday wedding was attended by members of Norway’s royal family, including the parents of the bride, King Harald and Queen Sonja, and her younger brother, Crown Prince Haakon.
Courtesy of Netflix
Shaman Durek Verrett and Princess Martha Louise in ‘Rebel Royals’
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Princess Märtha Louise and Durek met in 2018 through a mutual friend, but their romance was said to have been predicted by Durek’s mother when he was a teenager.
“My mother told me that one day someone from her heritage in Norway would find me and bring so much joy in my heart. I asked her, ‘Who, mother?’ She said, ‘A princess.’ I laughed and said, ‘Okay, a princess. Whatever, mother, you’re funny.’ Well, she was right. My kindred spirit found me,” Durek —whose celebrity fans include Gwyneth Paltrow, Nina Dobrev and James Van Der Beek — captioned a photo on Instagram in 2019.
Courtesy of Netflix
Shaman Durek Verrett and Princess Martha Louise in ‘Rebel Royals’
The pair announced their engagement in June 2022, with Durek popping the question at an equestrian estate in California. Märtha Louise told PEOPLE it “meant the world” that he designed her emerald engagement ring with three diamonds on each side as a tribute to her three daughters from her previous marriage to the late author Ari Behn.
Märtha Louise renounced her royal role in 2022 “to create a clearer dividing line between her business activities and her role as a member of the royal family.” Twenty years earlier, she gave up her title of “Her Royal Highness” in order to pursue a career in the entertainment industry. She also agreed to stop using her princess title for business ventures in 2019, the Royal House of Norway said in a statement.
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