In the room behind the altar in Ulstein church hangs the white priest’s dress of Margit Lovise Holte ready for a magnificent wedding on 31 August. She has checked that it does not have spills from christened children or dirt from outdoor services. – I was happy and honored that they wanted to get married in a church ceremony and that they wanted me as a priest, she smiles. Her daughters went to the same kindergarten in Lommedalen in Bærum as Princess Märtha Louise’s girls, and they visited each other. That is how the two women became friends 19 years ago and have kept in touch ever since. Märtha Louise and Margit Lovise found the tone when they had children in the same kindergarten. Since then, they have kept in touch. Photo: private A little glamor It may sound glamorous to be friends with a princess, but the priest quickly denies that. The friendship has been everyday, where the mothers of small children helped each other when pressed for time. – Now I’m too late for kindergarten again. can you save me Can you fit? and things like that, says Holte. When Holte was called by Princess Märtha Louise and Durek Verrett asking if she would like to marry them, she drank coffee in the middle of two funerals in Ulsteinvik. She answered yes without blinking, and certainly does not think that the bride belongs to the royal family. – For me, most of all it is about consecrating a good pair of friends, says the priest. The wedding is private, and therefore not royal. Princess Märtha Louise and Durek Verrett have planned their wedding in Sunnmøre. First, the guests will be in Ålesund, then they will be taken by boat to Geiranger. Photo: Lise Åserud / NTB Has made headlines In recent months, many column meters have been written about the princess wedding in Geiranger. The groom has also previously made headlines with statements he has made. Nevertheless, Holte does not think that it is problematic that she should marry a shaman. – I note that there are many opinions about it. But we priests consecrate human beings with whom we are both united and disunited with and of different religious affiliations. This couple wants a Christian wedding and Märtha is a member of the church, says the priest. She has received a lot of feedback from people who think it is great that she is marrying the high-profile couple. She apparently takes the fact that not all reader posts in the local newspaper are equally positive. – In a folk church, it is not the case that priests agree with everything that individuals do. We will soon fill the church with confirmations here. I can guarantee you that we don’t agree on everything, she says. Margit Lovise Holte is normally a parish priest in Ulstein church. On 31 August, he has an assignment in Geiranger. Photo: Hans-Olav Landsverk / news Sparingly revealing details There is a lot of secrecy, but the parish priest characterizes the wedding as surprisingly normal. The unusual thing is the great interest from the media and people, she believes. The vicar does not share many details either, but she can reveal something. – What I can say is that the wedding should follow the liturgy in the Norwegian church. Then there will be nice music with hymns taken from the Norwegian hymn book. The couple themselves have chosen a biblical text from among the texts that are for marriage, says Holte. She thinks it will be a moving and beautiful ceremony. So nice that she may have to blink away a few tears herself. – I am a tearjerker, she reveals. The wedding party will be at Hotel Union Geiranger. Photo: Webjørn S. Espeland / news After the wedding, the family from Ulsteinvik will be guests at the wedding. The biggest stress lately has been finding outfits for the evening for the three daughters. Celebrities from home and abroad are expected at the party. – I probably don’t know who they are. I’m not that up-to-date on celebrities, so I’ll probably have to ask my girls, laughs the priest. The wedding ceremony will take place in the marked area, on Vinjevollen. The priest hopes the bride and groom will have bright sun and sparkling peaks and fjords on the big day. Photo: Øyvind Sandnes / news Published 14.08.2024, at 11.22
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Priest Margit Lovise Holte will marry Märtha Louise and Durek Verrett – news Møre og Romsdal – Local news, TV and radio
