Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway is all smiles at sister-in-law's pre-wedding boat party
Mette-Marit, Crown Princess of Norway and her husband Crown Prince Haakon were among the well-known guests fêting Princess Märtha Louise's nuptials with Durek Verrett during a pre-wedding boat party on Friday afternoon.
The Norwegian Princess, 51, was all smiles aboard the boat, where the bride-to-be and her American shaman groom hosted their 350 guests travelling from Alesund to Geiranger. Mette-Marit, who is married to Märtha Louise's younger brother, opted for a casual ensemble for the occasion.
The royal looked chic in a cream knit with silver zip collar detailing, wearing a tartan bag slung over one shoulder. Her bright blonde hair was styled in bouncy curls and she sported a natural, rose-hued makeup look.
On Thursday evening, Mette-Marit attended a pre-wedding drinks reception at Hotel 1904 in Alesund, nestled among Norway's scenic fjords. The event, which had a "sexy and cool" dress code, allowed guests to mingle ahead of the main celebrations.
Other influential guests taking part in the festivities included Sweden's Crown Princess Victoria and her husband, Prince Daniel, along with Victoria's brother, Prince Carl Philip and his wife, Princess Sofia.
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The weekend's events mark rare public outings for Mette-Marit. In October 2018, she was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, a condition which has forced her to take a step back from royal life.
The lung disease causes scarring and thickening of lung tissue, making it harder for oxygen to get into the bloodstream and creating breathing difficulties.
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At the time, the royal said: "Although such a diagnosis will at times put limitations on my life, I am glad that the disease was discovered so early. My goal is still to work and participate in official programs as much as possible." She also took a period of sick leave in September 2023 to manage her lung condition.
Mette-Marit has two children with Crown Prince Haakon, Princess Ingrid and Prince Sverre, and a son, Marius Borg Høiby, from a previous relationship.
Märtha Louise and Durek Verrett's wedding
Märtha Louise and Durek will officially exchange vows at Hotel Union on 31 August after two fun-filled days of pre-wedding celebrations. The magical nuptials will unfold against the background of the spectacular Geiranger Fjord, which has a place on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Märtha Louise and Durek confirmed their romance in May 2019 and announced their engagement in June 2022.
"I had decided not to get married again. But after meeting Durek in 2018, I changed my mind," the bride told us in an exclusive pre-wedding interview. "For me, getting married will seal the closeness between us. It's a way of elevating the energy and entering into a new phase of our relationship."
Meanwhile, for 49-year-old Durek, whose Hollywood connections include Gwyneth Paltrow and Selma Blair, marriage is "a very spiritual thing."
"Sealing our relationship in front of the universe is a strong spiritual declaration, and to do that surrounded by the people who love us and who we love, will be wonderful," he enthused.
DISCOVER: Inside Princess Martha Louise's 'intense nature' waterside wedding venue - including nightclub
The 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 Märtha 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.
