Princess Märtha Louise of Norway and her husband, Durek Verrett, are seeking more than USD 80 million (€71 million) in damages in a lawsuit against former friends, relatives and business associates. The case, filed in Los Angeles on 14 September, concerns allegations of defamation and breaches of confidentiality agreements.
According to Norwegian newspaper VG, which examined the 242-page court filing, the lawsuit names four individuals and ten additional defendants who have not yet been identified.
Among those named are Verrett’s half-sister, Demetria de La Nuit, his former manager Tiana Griego, a former girlfriend and a former friend and business associate.
The princess, her husband and his American company, Ohana Productions LLC, accuse the defendants of spreading false and damaging allegations about them. Two of the defendants are also accused of violating confidentiality agreements.
How the damages are calculated
The USD 80 million compensation claim is divided between the three plaintiffs.
Verrett is seeking more than USD 30 million (€26.8 million), while Märtha Louise is claiming more than USD 20 million (€17.8 million). Ohana Productions is seeking a further USD 30 million.
However, some of the claims may overlap, meaning the amount ultimately at stake could be considerably lower than the combined total.
According to the lawsuit, the alleged defamatory statements have damaged the couple’s reputations, personal relationships and professional opportunities.
Verrett claims that revenue from certain parts of his business fell by as much as 96%, while paid speaking engagements, television opportunities and sponsorship deals were lost. Märtha Louise also alleges financial losses and damage to her professional reputation.
In a statement reported by VG, the couple’s American lawyers, Richard Roth and Jamie Campbell, said:
Our clients’ reputations have been judged by the public for years. Now the facts will be tested in court.
These claims have not been established by a court.
Princess Märtha Louise’s claim faces legal questions
Part of the case concerns statements published by the Norwegian magazine Se og Hør, including allegations made by Verrett’s former manager.
Märtha Louise disputes suggestions that she was psychologically manipulated or controlled by her husband.
However, an investigation published by VG on 11 October raised questions about the legal basis of the princess’s claim.
The disputed statements originally appeared in a 2020 interview and were republished in June 2026. Two American media law experts told VG that holding the former manager responsible for the magazine’s later republication could be difficult, particularly given California’s one-year limitation period for defamation claims.
The couple’s lawyers maintain that the 2026 article constituted a new publication and that Griego was responsible for or approved the statements. The court has not yet ruled on the issue.
A private lawsuit following Norway’s royal succession
The lawsuit comes during a period of significant changes for Norway’s royal family.
The princess’s father, King Harald V, died on 28 August 2026, and her brother succeeded him as King Haakon VIII. The lawsuit was filed just five days after Harald’s funeral.
The couple acknowledged the difficult timing in their legal documents but explained that filing deadlines prevented them from postponing the proceedings.
Märtha Louise has retained her princess title but has not performed official duties for the Norwegian Royal House since 2022, following an agreement intended to separate her commercial activities from her royal connections.
The Royal Palace has confirmed that the lawsuit is a private matter and that neither the Royal House nor the Royal Court is involved.
A preliminary case-management conference is scheduled for December in Los Angeles, when the court is expected to address the next procedural steps.
