Princess Märtha Louise of Norway and her husband, Durek Verrett, are taking a deeply personal dispute to court. The couple have filed a lawsuit against people who once belonged to Verrett’s inner circle, including his half-sister and a former romantic partner, alleging that damaging statements have harmed their reputations and livelihoods.
According to Norwegian newspaper VG, which reviewed the court documents, the lawsuit was filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court on September 14. Märtha Louise, Verrett and his American company, Ohana Productions LLC, are seeking damages across several claims totaling more than $80 million.
© Paul ArchuletaVG notes that some of those claims may overlap. The case names four individuals. A former partner, Verrett’s half-sister Demetria de La Nuit, a former manager and associate, and a former friend and associate. Ten additional, unidentified parties are also included. Two defendants are accused of breaching confidentiality agreements, according to VG. These remain allegations to be considered by the court.
A dispute involving people they once trusted:
At the heart of the lawsuit is the couple’s contention that people previously welcomed into their private lives used that access against them.
© LISE ASERUDTheir American lawyer, Richard Roth, said in a statement provided to VG that the legal proceedings would allow their claims to be examined in court after years of public scrutiny. “Now the facts will be tested in a court of law,” he said, as quoted by The Guardian.
Norwegian newspaper Dagbladet also reports that Verrett is seeking more than $30 million, Märtha Louise more than $20 million, and Ohana Productions more than $30 million across the different claims.
© Rune HellestadThe couple allege that the disputed statements affected their income and professional opportunities. According to Dagbladet’s account of the filing, Verrett claims revenue fell by as much as 96 percent in certain parts of his business, while Märtha Louise alleges damage to her reputation and commercial prospects.
Why Verrett’s half-sister is named:
The inclusion of Demetria, known online as Demi de La Nuit and identified in the legal documents by her former name, Demetria Farmer Oster, gives the dispute a family dimension.
© Rune HellestadShe previously shared a close relationship with Verrett and Märtha Louise. That relationship deteriorated after she publicly criticized the couple and the Norwegian royal family. The publication also reports that the couple’s lawyers sent her cease-and-desist letters shortly before their 2024 wedding.
VG contacted Demetria about the lawsuit, but she declined to comment. The newspaper also sought responses from the other three named defendants.
A difficult moment for the couple:
The filing also describes the personal circumstances surrounding the legal action. These include Verrett’s kidney failure, dialysis treatment and recent kidney transplant, alongside Märtha Louise’s grief following the death of her father, King Harald.
© Rune HellestadThe couple say legal deadlines required them to proceed during a period they would otherwise have devoted to family, health and recovery. Dagbladet reports that a case-management conference is scheduled in Los Angeles for December 17.
