Norway's King Harald V is taking the controversy surrounding a Netflix documentary about his daughter Princess Märtha Louise and her husband, self-styled shaman Durek Verrett, with apparent good humour.
"We have noticed a certain amount of attention surrounding a film this year," the 88-year-old monarch said at a gala dinner for members of the Norwegian parliament at the Royal Palace in Oslo.
A sequel has been considered, and the best idea for a title so far is "The King Minute by Minute," Harald joked to the smiling lawmakers.
He said he couldn't promise that this sequel would be particularly rebellious, referring to the title of the Märtha Louise documentary, "Rebel Royals," but added, to laughter from the 200 guests: "I still think it can reach a lot of people, because it could also have a soporific effect."
Harald is known in Norway for his pointed humour, but also for his apt words on serious topics. Märtha Louise is his eldest child and the big sister of Crown Prince Haakon, the heir to the throne.
In the summer of 2024, she married Verrett, a US citizen, at the picturesque Geiranger Fjord. Then, in September, Netflix released the documentary "Rebel Royals: An Unlikely Love Story." It traced the path to the marriage and, like so much else involving the princess and her shaman husband, sparked discussion in the country.
Among other things, the bride and groom were criticized for selling the exclusive image and film rights for the wedding ceremony and reception to foreign media.
The royal family accused the couple of continuing to use Märtha Louise's princess title and connection to the Oslo court for commercial purposes, breaking an agreement not to do so.