Crown Prince Haakon of Norway has broken his silence over his sister’s controversial Netflix documentary.
Tensions have flared over Princess Märtha Louise and her shaman husband Durek Verrett’s new project.
Now, the crown prince has shared his measured perspective—without taking sides.
While visiting Hallingdal with his wife, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, was asked by the press what he thought of Rebel Royals.
Haakon said he had watched the documentary but thought he 'should refrain from judging it'.
He added: 'I don't think it distinguishes well enough, unfortunately, between the royal house's activities and the project and the commercial side of Princess Märtha Louise and Durek Verrett's activities.'
His comments mirrored the palace’s official statement on the couple’s TV special, criticising them for 'breaching' an agreement made in 2022, when the princess stepped away from her official royal role.
Haakon added that they now had 'something to build on' as discussions continued about the couple’s 'projects and commercial activities'.
Royal Agreement and Challenges
When asked if the self-styled rebels had no intention of honouring their side of the agreement, rendering it useless, the crown prince defended his older sister and said: 'There you point out a bit of a challenge but there is no good alternative to that, we have to try to figure it out.'
He also confirmed that the couple had stated they 'intend to respect the agreement'.
Addressing Claims of Bias
Haakon addressed claims in the documentary about unconscious bias and racism towards his new brother-in-law from members of the royal household, saying that in Norway there are challenges with racism, and although he could not fully understand it personally, he could 'talk to those who have experienced it, use empathy, and follow the news' to help overcome the problem constructively.
Footage Removed from Documentary
While most of Norway’s royal family opted out of appearing in Rebel Royals, Haakon almost featured in it, with an early cut showing a scene inside a private event before Princess Märtha Louise and Durek Verrett’s wedding in Ålesund.
The palace confirmed it asked Netflix to remove the clip before the documentary aired, noting that 'the Royal House has reserved its right not to be filmed for this production in situations where other press did not have access. The clip has now been removed.'
Princess Märtha Louise and Durek Verrett wed in August last year, and their love story formed a central part of the documentary.
What This Means For You
Crown Prince Haakon watched Rebel Royals but chose to refrain from judging it, while expressing concern that the documentary blurred the line between royal duties and the commercial activities of Princess Märtha Louise and Durek Verrett.
He addressed claims of unconscious bias and racism toward his brother-in-law within the royal household and emphasised the importance of empathy and understanding. The palace also took steps to ensure that Haakon’s footage from the wedding was removed before the documentary aired, protecting his privacy.
For readers, this highlights how delicate it can be to balance public roles with private life. Many of us face similar challenges in our own families or communities, where personal matters can be misinterpreted or exposed publicly, reminding us of the value of empathy, discretion, and understanding in everyday interactions.
The drama surrounding Princess Märtha Louise and her Netflix documentary isn’t the only time insider perspectives have reshaped public understanding of royal controversies.
Sometimes, former staff or close associates step forward to offer a different side of the story, revealing details the public might not otherwise see.
For another real-life example of this, take a look at how a former royal staff member challenged claims in a high-profile royal controversy.
Read more: Former staff member pushes back on royal controversy
Loyalty and family ties can be complicated—how far should royals go to protect their private lives from public scrutiny?
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