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This princess, who believes she can communicate with angels, just gave up her royal title – here's why

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Princess Martha Louise of Norway (Photo: Getty Images)
Princess Martha Louise of Norway (Photo: Getty Images)

Cape Town – Princess Martha Louise of Norway is giving up her title – at least when engaging in any commercial activities.

The daughter of King Harald V and Queen Sonja took to Instagram to explain her decision after receiving backlash earlier this year for advertising her spiritual tour with her boyfriend, Shaman Durek (who's real name is Derek Verrett) with the rather evocative name The Princess and The Shaman.

"There have been many discussions about my use of title in a commercial context lately. The fact that I used Princess in the title of my tour, I have said before that I am very sorry, and I still stand by that. It was a mistake and I understand that it provokes when the princess title is used this way.

"The discussions are something I have taken seriously, and in collaboration with my family we have found that it is best that we make some changes. We have therefore jointly come to the conclusion that I use the title princess when I represent the Royal House, do my official assignments at home and abroad, and in private contexts.

"From now on I will not use my princess title in a commercial context. That is, in all commercial contexts, I only use Märtha Louise."

PRINCESS MARTHA – THE CLAIRVOYANT

In case you missed it – and to put things into perspective – Princess Martha was married to Norwegian author Ari Behn with whom she has three children. Earlier this year, after being separated from Ari for three years, the princess revealed she'd found her "twin flame" in Shaman Durek, who also shared his love for the princess who used to be one of his many high-profile clients.

View this post on Instagram

When you meet your twin flame, you know. I have been lucky enough to have met mine. @shamandurek has changed my life, like he does with so many. He has made me realize that unconditional love actually exists here on this planet. He embraces all of me without question or fear. He makes me laugh more than anyone, has the most profound wisdom to share and all the bits in between from the diversity of his being. I feel so happy and blessed that he is my boyfriend. Thank you my love, for including me so generously into your family. I love you from this eternity to the next. And to those of you who feel the need to criticize: Hold your horses. It is not up to you to choose for me or to judge me. I don’t choose my man to satisfy any of you or the norms or boxes you have chosen in your mind for me to be in. I don’t thrive there, nor do I exist in your illusion about me. I choose from love. And that’s it. Shaman Durek is merely a man I love spending my time with and who fulfills me. So thank you for respecting my actions and my choice of partner. All I know at this moment is that we love each other and I am super happy. Have a wonderful, loving Sunday and Mother’s Day(for the USA). ?? @dhendersonphoto #love #unconditionallove #newlove #boyfriend #inlove

A post shared by Princess Märtha Louise (@princessmarthalouise) on

Shaman Durek, "a spiritual guide and gifted healer", "a 'bridge' between the spiritual and physical planes", "who bring[s] success, happiness and healing into people's lives" according to his website, also works closely as a contributor for Gwenyth Paltrow's Goop – even calling the actress his "soul sis", reports Vogue.

READ MORE: Princess of Norway finds love with American shaman

Well before her relationship with Shaman Durek though, Princess Martha considered herself a spiritual being too – complete with her own gifts.

According to Hello Magazine, back in 2007 Princess Martha started the Astarte Education centre with the hope of helping students "create miracles" by using the power of angels that she, from a very young age, found she was able to communicate with.

"Through horses I learned to communicate with animals on a deeper level… I later learned the value of this enormous gift and want to share it with others," she said.

According to the BBC, Princess Martha mentioned on the education site that she has "always been interested in alternative forms of treatment".

It appears her spiritual journey continues – now with Shaman Durek.

This past weekend, the princess and the shaman hosted a webinar on "love, life and change on this planet". This time around, they refrained from using their respective titles.

On her decision to drop her title, the royal said, "I find this to be a good solution where there is a clear distinction between my business activities and my role as a representative of the Royal House, and that I have thus created room for greater freedom in my business activities."

At the moment, we aren't sure of any upcoming webinars hosted by the princess, but she did attend the Starlite Gala on Sunday with Shaman Durek. Princess Martha received the Starlite Foundation Award on the night for her work as "a leader of the new times", "as an agent of change being part of a social transformation" and for "creating awareness and helping people to conquer their own truth daring to follow their heart", as she certainly did.

SEE HER ACCEPTANCE SPEECH HERE:

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So honored to receive the Starlite Foundation Award for my work as “a leader of the new times, as an agent of change being part of a social transformation, creating awareness and helping people to conquer their own truth daring to follow their heart.” We are all leaders of the new times in our own lives, for our friends, our children and whomever we touch on our way. It is the responsibility of each and every one of us to be the change. To think outside the box and patterns we have learned to follow. It is not by following the existing patterns that we create change. If we all dare to discover who we truly are - and not who we have been taught to believe we are - and live from our true powers and inner wisdom, our world will change. Thank you for honoring this truth and for all the great work you do @starlitefestival #transformativechange #transformation #leadership #leader #love

A post shared by Princess Märtha Louise (@princessmarthalouise) on

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