Princess Märtha Louise of Norway and her husband Durek Verrett have pushed back firmly against social media speculation that their union is a “lavender marriage” — a term for a heterosexual marriage used to mask one partner’s queer identity. In a bold response via Instagram, the royal couple framed the rumors as reductive and insisted their relationship is built on love, not concealment.
What Does “Lavender Marriage” Mean — and Why the Allegations?
The label “lavender marriage” is often applied when it’s believed one or both partners hide their sexual orientation behind a traditional marriage. The rumor mill began churning as critics questioned whether Princess Märtha Louise and Verrett’s relationship was authentic or merely performative.
In an October 6 post, the couple responded with a short video that begins with them looking puzzled as a voiceover asks, “What’s a lavender marriage?” The clip cuts to them dressed in lavender-hued outfits, overlaid with screenshots of critical comments such as “The real housewife of Norway and her lavender marriage” and “Girl … you are in a lavender marriage.” Both shook their heads in contradiction before the video closed with the text: “Ordinary isn’t our thing. We just love.”
Durek captioned the post:
“Thought it was lavender? Plot twist. It’s just love and legacy.”
Their Past and Verrett’s Openness on Sexuality
The couple’s relationship, officially launched in 2018, has faced relentless public scrutiny. While the princess has openly praised Verrett in interviews, critics remain vocal.
Verrett, who identifies as bisexual, was previously married to a woman and at one time engaged to a man. In the Netflix documentary Rebel Royals: An Unlikely Love Story, he revealed that when Märtha Louise first introduced him to her daughters, she portrayed him as a gay friend — a move he said helped diffuse tension. As he put it:
“I became the cool gay best friend … and then when they realized we were actually in love, it eased in a bit.”
Meanwhile, Märtha Louise described their marriage in public statements as being with “the love of your life.”
Public Reaction, Royal Status & Controversy in Norway
The royal pair’s pushback comes amid domestic unease over their marriage’s visibility and commercial aspects. In Norway, a recent poll showed that a majority of citizens believe the princess should be stripped of her royal title.
Märtha Louise has long been a controversial figure due to her involvement in spiritual and alternative practices. Critics argue these ventures blur the line between her royal role and private enterprises. The decision to sell the rights to her wedding and produce a Netflix docuseries further stoked accusations of commercialization.
Her marriage to Verrett — who is Black and American — has also sparked racially charged backlash, a dimension she has publicly addressed in past interviews.
What Their Instagram Reply Signals
By pushing back through a creative video, Märtha Louise and Verrett sought to control the narrative. Rather than issuing a formal statement, the tone leans playful, defiant, and emotionally declarative. Their message: the question of whether their marriage is “lavender” is beside the point — their love is real, their legacy is theirs to define.
Whether their rebuttal will quiet doubters remains uncertain — in the age of social media, rumors are slow to fade. But for now, the couple is clearly standing firm: they reject the lavender label and embrace their own truth.
