The British aren't the only ones with royal drama
The Straits Times|January 21, 2023
Four other monarchies are engaged in their own dysfunction, disorder and high drama
The British aren't the only ones with royal drama

LONDON Since the death of Queen Elizabeth II and the accession of King Charles III in September, the Firm - as the British royal family is unofficially known - hasn't just been grappling with a major management reshuffle. In a Netflix series and his splashy new memoir, Prince Harry has been lobbing a near constant stream of bombshell revelations into the public domain, airing intimate personal details as well as allegations of treachery and familial betrayal afoot behind palace doors in the House of Windsor.

But Britain doesn't have a monopoly on royal dirty laundry. Behold, four other messy monarchies that have also been engaged lately with dysfunction, disorder and high drama of their own.

NORWAY 

There were waves in Norway in November when Princess Martha Louise relinquished royal duties to focus on her alternative medicine business with her fiance, Durek Verrett, a celebrity shaman whose clients have included Selma Blair and Nina Dobrev. It was the latest in a series of controversies stemming from the princess' relationship with Mr Verrett, who suggested in his 2019 book, Spirit Hacking, that cancer was a choice. The self-described "sixth-generation shaman" also sells a "spirit optimiser" medallion on his website that he claims helped him recover from Covid-19. For her part, Princess Martha has frequently suggested that she can communicate with animals and angels.

DENMARK

This story is from the January 21, 2023 edition of The Straits Times.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the January 21, 2023 edition of The Straits Times.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE STRAITS TIMESView All
BRANSOM RIPE FOR FIFTH SUCCESS
The Straits Times

BRANSOM RIPE FOR FIFTH SUCCESS

The highly consistent Makin still in rattling form, on course to nail win No. 5 on the trot

time-read
3 mins  |
May 01, 2024
More S’pore manufacturers, services firms upbeat about the months ahead
The Straits Times

More S’pore manufacturers, services firms upbeat about the months ahead

They expect favourable outlook amid boom in Al-related products, return of travel: Polls

time-read
4 mins  |
May 01, 2024
Hai Robotics unveils new S-E Asia headquarters in S'pore
The Straits Times

Hai Robotics unveils new S-E Asia headquarters in S'pore

Facility will double as demo centre for firm’s warehouse automation solution

time-read
1 min  |
May 01, 2024
Japan’s factory output rises 3.8% in March, aided by car sector
The Straits Times

Japan’s factory output rises 3.8% in March, aided by car sector

Growth helped largely by automakers resuming production after safety scandals

time-read
1 min  |
May 01, 2024
S. Korean investors lose almost 5.7b on equity-linked notes
The Straits Times

S. Korean investors lose almost 5.7b on equity-linked notes

Older customers were enticed to buy risky products aggressively marketed by banks

time-read
4 mins  |
May 01, 2024
NTU, S.E.A. Aquarium to collaborate on climate research, marine conservation
The Straits Times

NTU, S.E.A. Aquarium to collaborate on climate research, marine conservation

Delegates from the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and S.E.A. Aquarium dived underwater to sign a document that marked a collaboration between the two institutions, paving the way for future projects for the conservation of marine biodiversity.

time-read
2 mins  |
May 01, 2024
Use of Al reshaping how uni students learn and create
The Straits Times

Use of Al reshaping how uni students learn and create

Some see such tools as giving them an edge, while others worry about possible misuse

time-read
3 mins  |
May 01, 2024
elebratingpore’s builteritage with tours and stories
The Straits Times

elebratingpore’s builteritage with tours and stories

HeritageFest features visits to architectural landmarks, tours that go off beaten track

time-read
3 mins  |
May 01, 2024
The Straits Times

PM Lee to make final major speech at May Day Rally

It is his last political speech as head of govt before passing baton to Lawrence Wong

time-read
2 mins  |
May 01, 2024
The Straits Times

34½ years' jail for dad who abused 2 of his kids, causing death of one

The children from his previous marriage were so underfed that they ate their own faeces

time-read
5 mins  |
May 01, 2024