Following the premiere of Netflix’s documentary Rebel Royals, Shaman Durek has spoken out about false narratives the media have created around his remarks about the Norwegian Royal Family.
Taking to Instagram, the American husband of Princess Märtha Louise shared a video to provide clarification regarding his statement about his in-laws.
He wrote in his post, “What I said in the Netflix documentary about my father-in-law not knowing racism has been twisted by the media. Let me be clear about what I meant.
“In American culture when we say someone does not know racism it often means they have not experienced it in the same way we have or they do not understand the depth of its impact. It does not mean they are ignorant or unkind. It means their lived experience is different. Cultural language does not always translate the same way.
“I love my father-in-law and my mother-in-law deeply. We have a strong and respectful relationship. They have supported me and my wife through everything and we share great love and understanding.
“I am not a victim and I am not interested in playing one. I am an educator and my focus is always on love and lifting humanity higher. The media may twist words to create a story but the truth is simple. My family and I stand together in respect and love and that is what matters most.”
Many viewed his remarks in the documentary as accusing King Harald and the Royal Family of racism. He shared his experience on his first meetings with the King and Queen, saying they would let Princess Märtha Louise “know that I was wrong.”
He added, “It wasn’t like, ‘Oh, welcome to our family. We love you. We get you.’ “It was like, ‘Why are you with this guy?’ ”
Courtesy of Netflix © 2025
The Shaman also claimed that it was not until the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s interview with Oprah that the King reached out about how he was treated.
“And it was only when Harry and Meghan went into the press with Oprah did I get a message from the King saying, ‘Do you feel that we treated you the same way?’ When I said yes, they were like, “Okay, we need to have a family discussion’.”
Shaman Durek said he made the video because people “have this idea that I don’t love my in-laws and that I don’t have a great respect for my in-laws, and that’s just not true.”
He added that it was powerful and meaningful for him “to see my in-laws step up and go out into the press, make a statement against racism and against how it was affecting my life.”
The King’s son-in-law concluded by saying that it was important that “we stop putting narratives out there that are not real, that the press keeps trying to create, and start focusing on the facts and the truth.”
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