Princess Martha Louise, the daughter of Norway’s King Harald, is stepping down from royal duties in the wake of controversy over her engagement.
Back in June the 50-year-old princess, who is fourth in line to the Norwegian throne, got engaged in June to Durek Verrett, an American who describes himself as a shaman and a healer.
As a result, at least one foundation for which Martha Louise served as a patron ended its connection with the princess.
Now the princess has taken a step back to create a "clear divide" between her future husband's business activities and her role as a member of the royal family.
In a statement issued by the palace, Princess Martha said she has "decided that at the present time I will no longer carry out official duties for the royal household”.
The decision was made in coordination with her parents, she added, “to create peace around the royal household”.
The statement issued by the Royal House or Norway said: "Princess Märtha Louise wishes to differentiate more clearly between her own activities and her relationship to the Royal House of Norway.
"The Princess has therefore decided, in consultation with His Majesty The King and other close family members, that she will not carry out official duties for the Royal House at the present time."
The statement went on to say that the organisations previously under the Princess' patronage would be offered to other members of the Royal Family.
"The Princess and her fiancé, Durek Verrett, are seeking to distinguish more clearly between their activities and the Royal House of Norway.
"This means, among other things, that they will not employ the title of Princess or refer to members of the Royal House in their social media channels, in media productions or in connection with other commercial activities (with the exception of @PrincessMarthaLouise on Instagram )."
The King had decided that the Princess would keep her title.
When she married Durek Verrett, who she had been with since May 2019, he would become a part of the Royal Family - though he would not have a title or represent the Royal House.
Durek is known as a 'healer and spiritualist' and has a number of celebrity followers such as Gwyneth Paltrow
"The King and Queen wish to thank Princess Märtha Louise for the important work she has carried out in her official capacity for several decades. She has performed her duties with warmth, care and deep commitment," the statement said.
Martha Louise has three daughters from her first marriage, which ended in 2016.
According to Norwegian media, she plans to relocate to California with them. Alongside her royal duties, the princess has written books in which she claimed to have contact with angels.
Her older brother, Crown Prince Haakon, is the heir to the throne. A poll published by Norway’s Dagbladet newspaper last month had 68% of respondents saying they wanted to keep the monarchy.
When Norwegian broadcaster NRK asked the same question in 2017, support for the royal house stood at 81%.
