Multi-day weddings have become the new trend for modern brides and grooms, including Princess Märtha Louise of Norway and her fiancé shaman Durek Verrett.
The couple kicked off their three-day wedding celebrations on Thursday with a "sexy and cool" themed welcome drinks reception at Hotel 1904 in Alesund.
Now, the momentum has continued as guests boarded a boat for celebrations along the Geiranger Fjord, a Unesco World Heritage Site famed for its beautiful waters and dramatic surrounding mountains.
Opening up about the meaningful location on Instagram last year, King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway's daughter wrote: "We are incredibly happy to be able to celebrate our love in Geiranger’s beautiful surroundings. It means a lot to us to gather our loved ones in a place so rich in history and intense nature experiences. Geiranger is the perfect place to embrace our love."
See all the photos of Märtha Louise and Durek as they were joined by guests on day two of their celebrations...
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© ShutterstockAll smiles
The bride and groom to-be were all smiles as they arrived to board the boat party with their closest friends and family, including Martha Louise's brother and sister-in-law, Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit.
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© ShutterstockStylish couple
Märtha Louise looked chic in a hot pink blouse with keyhole detailing, teamed with a long black leather skirt and matching jacket. She wore her brunette locks styled in loose waves.
Meanwhile, Durek opted for a brown embroidered knit and matching chinos.
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© ShutterstockOn board
Märtha Louise smiled and waved at well-wishers, as Durek sweetly blew kisses.
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© ShutterstockCrown Princess Mette-Marit
Märtha Louise's sister-in-law, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, was among the guests on board the boat party.
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© ShutterstockFamily celebration
Crown Princess Mette-Marit was joined by her family, including youngest son, Prince Sverre Magnus, 18.
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© ShutterstockDutch royals
Prince Constantijn and Princess Laurentien of The Netherlands joined the bride and groom for day two of their wedding celebrations. Prince Constantijn, who is the brother of King Willem-Alexander, sported a pale blue shirt with sage green trousers and a matching coat. Princess Laurentien looked efforlessly cool in a white blouse, high-waisted red leather trousers and a matching coat with blouson-style sleeves. She accessorised with a pair of statement neon yellow earrings.
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© AlamyNorwegian royals
Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit and their children, Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus, posed for photographs together before boarding the boat.
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© AlamyNew couple?
Prince Sverre, 18, was joined by his reported girlfriend, according to local media. The Prince graduated from Elvebakken Upper Secondary School in Oslo back in June.
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© AlamyFuture queen
Princess Ingrid Alexandra, 20, cut a cool figure in a chambray trench coat and sported a friendship bracelet around her wrist. She is currently second in line to the Norwegian throne behind her father, Crown Prince Haakon.
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© AlamyMother and daughter
Crown Princess Mette-Marit and Princess Ingrid Alexandra were seated next to one another as the boat departed on its cruise. And Mette-Marit enjoyed a spot of crocheting on board!
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© AlamyPrincess Astrid
Märtha Louise's aunt, Princess Astrid, Mrs. Ferner, 92, joined the festivities. She is the older sister of King Harald.
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© AlamyA toast
Märtha Louise and Durek raised a toast with their guests on board as they took in the stunning setting.
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© AlamyKing Harald and Queen Sonja
The bride's parents, King Harald and Queen Sonja, appeared on the top deck of the Royal Yacht, to wave to their daughter, their future son-in-law and their guests as they passed by.
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© AlamyOn their way
The Royal Yacht sailed passed Märtha Louise, Durek and their guests on their boat.
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© GettyArriving in Geiranger
The couple were pictured as they disembarked from the boat party at Geiranger harbour.
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© GettyWedding eve
The excited couple waved as they were driven with Märtha Louise's daughters to their wedding venue, Hotel Union. The bride and groom will host their guests at a Latin American-themed pre-wedding party on Friday evening.
Wedding celebrations
When guests arrive at their destination of Geiranger village, they will have a chance to freshen up ahead of the evening festivities at the historic Hotel Union – Martha and Durek's wedding venue.
The four-star hotel boasts a spa, three restaurants, indoor and outdoor pools, its own nightclub and even a vintage car museum.
On Friday night, Märtha Louise and Durek will throw a Latin American-themed pre-wedding party which will likely see the loved-up couple and their guests – including the bride's brother Crown Prince Haakon, his wife Crown Princess Mette-Marit, and Märtha’s three daughters, Maud, Leah, and Emma – dance the night away. Stay tuned for more exclusive footage of the evening celebrations.
Members of the Norwegian royal family and their 350 guests will gather at the hotel on Saturday 31 August to witness Märtha Louise and Durek's special union.
"It feels amazing to be marrying Durek and I'm so happy the day is almost here. The surroundings are gorgeous – it's one of the most beautiful places I know," said Märtha Louise as she opened up to HELLO! about her impending wedding at the Edvard Munch hotel near Oslo ahead of the festivities.
"Even if there are a few glitches, we can still gaze at the stunning scenery," she added.
Overcoming hurdles
Märtha Louise, who is fourth in line to the Norwegian throne, and Durek, who describes himself as a sixth-generation shaman, confirmed their romance in May 2019. They bonded over their shared spirituality when a mutual friend, Hollywood health and wellness guru Millana Snow, suggested they meet in 2018.
After a six-month "platonic" friendship, their relationship turned romantic and they announced their engagement in June 2022 following Durek's three thwarted proposal plans.
However, their love story hasn't been smooth sailing, with the couple's alternative beliefs leading to challenges – including Märtha Louise's decision to step back from royal duties in 2022.
© Getty"It’s a bit challenging for people to see something new, to evolve past their comfort zones. We try to understand where people are and find ways to bring about more education, so people can start to see things differently and be comfortable with change. It requires a lot of compassion. It requires a lot of love, a lot of patience," Durek explained.
"Märtha once said something really beautiful – just because people have their judgements and their beliefs, that just shows where they’re at in their capacity for love. It doesn’t mean we should change our capacity for love because we see differently."
The royal wedding will be exclusively covered by HELLO! magazine. Check back on the website and pick up the most recent issues of HELLO! for all the latest news and photos.
To read the full exclusive interview with Martha Louise and Durek and to see the full wedding album, pick up the latest issue of HELLO! on sale in the UK on Monday. You can subscribe to HELLO! to get the magazine delivered free to your door every week or purchase the digital edition online via our Apple or Google apps.
The HELLO! Royal Club special offer
HELLO!'s biggest royal fans over at The HELLO! Royal Club are set to receive exclusive behind-the-scenes footage from the wedding of the year this Saturday, including that most intimate of wedding staples: the first dance. Don't want to miss out on Princess Martha Louise's big day? Then why not take advantage of our special offer: join the club before this Sunday and get a celebratory 20% off annual membership.
In addition to this exclusive behind-the-scenes footage, you will open up a slew of other benefits including:
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