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The Royal Palace confirmed the news in a statement on Christmas Day. They said Mr Behn, who was the father of Martha Louise's three children, had taken his own life. In a statement this evening, King Harald said: “It is with great sadness that the Queen and I have received the message of Ari Behn’s passing.

“Ari has been an important part of our family for many years, and we carry warm, fond memories of him. "We are grateful that we got to know him. "We grieve that our grandchildren have now lost their dear father, and have deep compassion for his parents and siblings, who now have lost their dear son and brother. "We ask that Ari's immediate family get some rest during this difficult time."

Ari Behn has been found dead at the age of 47

Geir Hakonsund, Mr Behn's manager, said on behalf of his family: "It is with sadness in our hearts that we, the closest relatives of Ari Behn, announce today that he has taken his life. "We ask for respect for our privacy in the coming time." Mr Behn married the Norwegian princess in 2002 and they welcomed three daughters called Maud Angelica, Leah Isadora and Emma Tallulah. After the pair divorced in 2016, the princess said in a statement: “We, like so many others, have grown apart. READ MORE: Martha-Louise of Norway shocks as lover claims they met in past life

Ari Behn and Princess Martha Louise of Norway married in 2002

The couple shared three daughters together

He starred in a production of Jeppe på Bjerget (Jeppe on the Mountain). This was an 18th-century comedy which tells the tale of a man whose problems become so severe that he turns to alcohol. He said at the time: "There are lots of hidden depths to Jeppe and I've thrown myself into interpreting the role. "It's a complex work and I've had to devote a lot of myself to it."

Ari Behn was famous in Norway for being a writer and artist

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