The ex husband of Norway's Princess Martha Louise has taken his own life, The Daily Mail reports.

Ari Behn, 47, who was the father of Martha Louise's three children, died by suicide, the Norwegian Royal Palace confirmed in a heartbreaking Christmas Day statement.

Behn leaves behind three young children, who he shares with the princess, 48.

The couple married in 2002 and divorced in 2017.  

In the same year he accused disgraced Hollywood actor Kevin Spacey of groping him under a table at a Nobel Peace Prize concert.

Mr Behn and Martha Louise's first daughter, Maud Angelica, was born in 2003, their second daughter Leah Isadora in 2005, and their third daughter, Emma Tallulah, in 2008.

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."