Princess Märtha Louise and husband sue former friends for ‘betrayal of trust’

Princess Märtha Louise and her husband, Durek Verrett, have sued former friends for ‘betrayal of trust’ in a defamation lawsuit in Los Angeles.

Court documents were filed in Los Angeles on 14 September, claiming that the former friends took “private access once afforded to them and weaponised it.” The publicly unnamed friends include “former intimate partners, trusted business associates, a family member.” The documents also claim that information such as “confidential communications, disputed accusations and claimed insider knowledge” was used against Princess Märtha Louise, Durek Verrett and his company, Ohana. They described it as a “coordinated series of devastating public attacks.”

According to newspaper VG, the couple claims compensation totalling over $80m.

It is already a challenging time for the Norwegian royal family. King Harald and his sister, Astrid, died shortly after one another in August and September. There have been several scandals, including revelations about the new Queen Mette-Marit’s friendship with Jeffrey Epstein and her son, Marius Borg Høiby, was recently found guilty of several crimes, including two counts of rape. Queen Mette-Marit also underwent a lung transplant in June, and Durek Verrett underwent a kidney transplant.

The documents mention the loss of the King, and although the alleged “misconduct” started much earlier, it “continued and escalated” in 2025 and 2026. They state, “During that period, plaintiffs experienced significant medical and personal circumstances, including Verrett’s serious kidney failure, dialysis treatment, health deterioration and recent kidney transplant, as well as Princess Märtha Louise’s recent loss of her father. Although plaintiffs would ordinarily have preferred to devote this period to their health, family, grief, and recovery, the timing of this filing is governed by applicable legal deadlines. Plaintiffs must proceed at this unfortunate time to preserve their claims and protect their rights arising from defendants’ publications and conduct in 2025 and 2026.”

Last year, Princess Märtha Louise and Durek Verrett starred in a Netflix documentary about their lives, and the Princess no longer uses her royal title in her business ventures.

Two hearings for the case have been scheduled for December.