PRINCESS Martha Louise of Norway's ex-hubby, Ari Behn, has taken his own life on Christmas Day.

The author's death has left the palace stunned and family and friends grief-stricken as members of the royal family paid tribute.

4 Princess Martha Louise of Norway and Ari Behn at the wedding of Crown Princess Victoria and Daniel Westling, at Stockholm Cathedral in Sweden Credit: Action Press

4 Ari Behn and Princess Martha married in 2002 Credit: Getty

The 47-year-old author and artist leaves behind three young children, who he shares with the princess, 48.

The couple married in 2002 and divorced in 2017.

Mr Behn's manager announced the tragedy while King Harald - the princess' dad - paid a heartfelt tribute to the writer.

The 82-year-old monarch 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.”

A statement from the Crown Prince family added: “For us, Ari was a good friend, a dear family member and a wonderful uncle, with whom we shared many of life’s small and big moments.

'DEAR FAMILY MEMBER'

"It is with great sadness that we have received the message of his passing away.”

The couple have three children; Maud Angelica, born in 2003, Leah Isadora in 2005, and Emma Tallulah, in 2008.

Geir Hakonsund, Ari Behn's manager, said tonight: "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."

In 2017, Mr Behn claimed Hollywood star Kevin Spacey groped him when they met during a Nobel Peace Prize party ten years previous.

He alleged he was propositioned by the disgraced actor.

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The House of Cards star met with the then-royal while he was hosting the Nobel Peace Prize concert in Oslo along with Uma Thurman.

Mr Behn, told Norwegian radio station P4: "We had a nice conversation, he was sat next to me.

"After five minutes, he says 'Hey, let's go out and have a cigarette', and then he touched me right on the balls under the table."

Behn said he was so put out all he could say was "eh, maybe later".

4 Ari Behn leaves behind three daughters Credit: Splash News

4 Ari Behn and Princess Martha share a kiss on their wedding day in 2002 Credit: Reuters

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