Queen Sonja says Americans ‘don’t understand’ royalty importance

Norway’s King Harald V and Queen Sonja said Americans “don’t understand” the bearing of royalty during a press conference that followed yesterday’s bombshell announcement by their daughter Princess Martha Louise. Hours after the Norwegian Royal Court said the fourth-in-line to the throne was relinquishing her official duties, the monarch and his wife stressed the move and the controversy surrounding some of Martha’s business choices and beliefs did not change the affection members of the family feel for one another.Nevertheless, the royal couple didn’t shy away from discussing why Martha’s fiance – a US businessman, spiritual guru of Hollywood A-listers and self-professed shaman Durek Verrett – carried on with business practices that raised eyebrows in Norway.Smiling, the Queen, who married Harald in 1968, said: “Americans have no idea what a kingdom is. So it’s no wonder he doesn’t realise.”She continued: “Americans don’t understand the bearing of this here. They don’t. He thought he could do whatever he wanted without compromising us at all.”But he’s understood that now, that we’re in this together. That he must also take into account what we stand for.”  Queen Sonja said Americans ‘don’t understand’ the importance of the monarchy and royalty (Image: GETTY) Durek Verrett is an American businessman who claims to be a shaman (Image: GETTY)Mr Verrett’s website offers among other products “wokeshops”, private sessions with the shaman focused on self love as well as a £190 “Spirit Optimizer”, described as an “advanced spiritual technology for spirit hacking and optimization”.Among the claims that drew the most criticism against the American was the suggestion that cancer is a choice and that too many sexual partners leaves imprints within you that must be cleaned out.The Norwegian Queen clarified both she and Harald continue to love their daughter and her future husband.She said: “Even though we disagree on some things, we love each other. And that’s the most important thing. READ MORE: Meghan Markle hits back at ‘difficult’ label in latest podcast Queen Sonja and King Harald have been married since 1968 (Image: GETTY) Princess Martha Louise is fourth-in-line to the Norwegian throne (Image: GETTY)”So I have the feeling that the family is now very close to each other in a new, nice way.”This press conference was held after the Royal House released a lengthy statement regarding Princess Martha’s future within her royal family.The royal, who is the only daughter of Sonja and Harald and the elder sister of future sovereign Crown Prince Haakon, “wishes to differentiate more clearly between her own activities and her relationship to the Royal House of Norway”, the statement read.It added: “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.” DON’T MISS Prince Harry ‘not pleased’ with Meghan’s ‘clingy’ behaviour [REPORT]Experts expose ‘another one of these little holes’ in Sussexes claims [ANALYSIS]King Charles’ reign ‘won’t be long’ as he prioritises something else [INSIGHT] Queen Sonja and King Harald responded to questions by the press on Tuesday (Image: ERJE PEDERSEN/NTB/AFP via Getty Images)This step will provide a clearer divide between her business activities and her role as a member of the royal family, the Royal House said, adding her patronages will be redistributed among other Norwegian working royals.Martha, who claims to be able to speak with angels, embarked in 2019 on a spiritual tour with Mr Verrett called The Princess and The Shaman.After criticism reached fever pitch, she announced in August that same year she would no longer use her title as princess for her commercial endeavours.The Royal House’s statement stressed Martha will retain her title but 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 Royal House also shared a lengthy statement by Princess Martha focused on her views on alternative medicine and science-based conventional medicine after some of her and Mr Durek’s views on these matters sparked huge backlash against the royals.  Princess Martha Louise will retain her title but will no longer carry out royal duties (Image: GETTY)While she said to be “grateful” for the health care system Norway is provided with, she added she believes “alternative methods can be important complements to school medicine for many.”A warm hand, a needle, a crystal, natural medicine, yoga, meditation or a listening conversation, I think, can help make life better for many people.”Not instead of, but in addition to, the treatment provided by the health care system. As a natural consequence, some people have this as a business activity.”Finally, the Royal House’s statement also included a firm condemnation of the “racist attitudes that Durek Verrett has had to contend with, especially on social media”.The shaman and Princess Martha announced their engagement in June and are expected to tie the knot next year.