Norwegian princess Märtha Louise and her husband, American businessman Durek Verrett, have filed a defamation lawsuit in Los Angeles against several former members of their inner circle, alleging a "calculated betrayal of trust." The lawsuit, submitted on September 14, claims that these former friends and colleagues misused their private access to the couple for a "coordinated series of devastating public attacks."
Allegations of Defamation
The court documents name various individuals, including "former intimate partners, trusted business associates, and a family member." They allege that these individuals used confidential communications and insider knowledge against Märtha Louise, Verrett, and his company, Ohana. The couple is seeking compensation exceeding $80 million, as reported by the newspaper VG.
Context of the Lawsuit
This legal action comes at a particularly difficult time for the Norwegian royal family. King Harald passed away in August at the age of 89, and was succeeded by his son, Haakon, Märtha Louise’s brother. Just two days after attending the king's funeral, Princess Astrid, the king's sister, also died at the age of 94. The royal family has faced several scandals recently, including revelations about Queen Mette-Marit’s friendship with Jeffrey Epstein and the conviction of her son, Marius Borg Høiby, for two counts of rape in June. Additionally, the queen underwent a lung transplant that same month due to pulmonary fibrosis.
