BREAKING: ARI BEHN, Norwegian Princess' former husband, COMITTS SUICIDE On CHRISTMAS day

This year turned to a very sad ending for the Norwegian Royal family. It was announced that Ari Mikael Behn, former husband of Princess Märtha Louise & father of their three daughters, ended his life by suicide on Christmas day (December 25) at the age of 47. His death was made public by his personal spokesman late on Wednesday (25/12/2019) night, and respect for family privacy was asked.

Ari Mikael Bjørshol was born on 30 September 1972 in Aarhus, Denmark. He is the son of danish school teachers, who moved to Norway in late 1970, with Ari being baptised into the Christian community of Moss town. He studied in a Norwegian school and obtained Bachellor Degree in history & religion from the University of Oslo. Ari took his maternal grandmother's surname in 1996, while the rest of his birth family still use the name Bjørshol.

Princess Märtha & Ari Behn in 2013

Ari Behn was an author & playwriter. He had issued a number of novels, collections of short stories & plays, & also participated to several TV documentaries about exhotic places. His literary debut was made in 1999 with collection translated as "Sad As Hell", which made up to 100,000 copies & was translated to several languages. With his wife they issued a joint book about their royal wedding. Behn married to the daughter of Norwegian Sovereign Couple on 24 May 2002, with whom they had 3 daughters: Maud Angelika (b. 2003), Leah Isadora (b. 2005) & Emma Tallulah (b. 2008). His wife, a clairvoyant had been controversially involved into running a training centre for contact with the dead & angels. The couple lived in UK, before moving to Lommedalen, Norway.

painting by the late Ari Behn

With their daughters

Behn also became involved in visual arts from 2013, painting in neo-expressionist tradition. & participated in design projects too. From 2009 he had ocassionally shared about his depression & loneliness, which he tried to calm down through alcohol. In August 2016 Princess Martha & Ari announced their separation, after many alternative unsuccessful attemps to go forward together. Both Ari & Märtha Louise had become involved to extramarital affairs. They divorsed in 2017, but continued good relationship with Ari renting an nearby appartment to be close to his family. He was still invited to some events of Norwegian royal family. In December 2017, Mr. Behn acussed US actor Kevin Spacey of inappropriately gropping him during an after-event of Nobel Peace Prize in 2007, to which the latter didn't respond. Behn didn't put forward any proceedings.

Joint photo with Norwegian Royal family, taken a few years ago

The tragic death of Ari Behn was a shock, especially given that he was invited to spend Christmas holidays with the Royal family. An enormous outpouring of grief stuck Norway. Condolences poured out from far and wide, beginning from politicians up to the royal houses of Scandinavia. King Harald V & Queen Sonja of Norway expressed their sorrow in a statement, describing their son-in-law as "an important part of our family for many years" of whom they bring many, fond memories. They grieved for their orphaned grandchildren & sympathised Behn's parents & immediate family.

Ari Behn with his mother, Marianne Solberg Behn (b. 1953)

Crown Prince Haakon & Crown Princess Mette Marit also issued a statement, talking about their brother-in-law as a good friend & much-loved family member, with whom they shared many precious moments. Their thoughts were with Princess Märtha Louise & her daughters. Ari's family responded thankfully to all condolences a few days after his death, saying that it warms them knowing how important he had been for many. In a moving facebook post, his mother said that "...darkness never took you. IT was the bright shining LIGHT merging with you". News became headlines in Norway, with people leaving countless flowers & candles on top points of Oslo (eg Palace Square), Moss & Lommedalen, and mental health awareness becoming widely discussed. Several church services, among other tributes, were taking place as well.

Ari Behn's funeral takes place on Friday, January 3, 2020, at 1pm, at the Oslo Cathedral. It is be accessible to the public. At this time of immense tragedy, his family needs a warm public support firsthand.