Heir to throne reacts to Netflix documentary about racism in royal family

Crown Prince Haakon of Norway has finally broken his silence on his sister’s polarising Netflix documentary.

Rebel Royals: An Unlikely Love Story tracks Princess Märtha Louise and her husband, self-proclaimed shaman Durek Verrett, from their early romance to their 2024 wedding plans — but the film has stirred intense backlash at home.

The couple has long faced criticism for blending their royal connections with personal ventures, a tension dating back to 2022 when Märtha Louise stepped down as a working royal under an agreement not to use her title for commercial purposes.

Speaking to Se og Hør via Daily Express on Tuesday, September 23, Haakon admitted, “I think I should refrain from judging it, but unfortunately, I do not think that there is a good enough distinction between the activities of the Royal House and the project and the commercial side of Princess Märtha Louise and Durek Verrett’s activities.”

He added, “We want there to be a clearer distinction… I hope we can achieve that a little better.”

A Palace spokesperson echoed that sentiment to NRK, stressing, “All people should have the right to tell their story… At the same time, the royal house wants a clearer distinction.”

The documentary even features Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, with Durek revealing King Harald reached out only after Meghan’s Oprah interview sparked conversations on racism.

It features a clip from the Duke of Sussex’s 2023 ABC interview, Prince Harry: In His Own Words, praising Norwegian royals for addressing racism publicly.