Princess Märtha Louise of Norway and her daughter, Leah, have posted touching tributes to Ari Behn on Instagram to mark one year since his death. Behn was the ex-husband of the Princess and father of Leah and Leah’s two sisters, Maud and Emma.
Both ladies wished everyone a Merry Christmas but also encouraged others who may be having suicidal thoughts. Behn committed suicide on Christmas Day 2019.
Princess Märtha Louise said on Instagram: “Just wanted to wish you all a Merry Christmas. This year has been a very different Holiday season because Ari, the beloved father of my three girls, is no longer among us. He chose to leave this place last year on this day. We celebrated his life today, we cried over his loss and how much we miss him. It has been a day of loving whatever is. LIFE hits us all. We can’t avoid it. We have to meet it. I reach out to all of you who are struggling through the Holidays. Know you are loved. Know you are needed. Know you are worth the help you can get. Please ask for help. Please express how you are. You are loved.”
Leah also posted a similar message and shared the numbers for suicide hotlines across the globe.
She said: “I wanted to come on here and wish everyone a Merry Christmas and if you don’t celebrate Christmas, Happy Holidays! I wanted to say: One year ago today, my dad killed himself and it’s really been one of the hardest years of my life. But if you are alone and/or feeling lonely, I want you to know that you’re not alone! I know my words can maybe not do anything, but if it can help at least one person, it’s so worth it. In these hard times, mental and physical health are so important! And If you are struggling; maybe you’re alone, feeling drained, depressed, feeling broken, going through a loss or even just trying to hold on, I want to say that’s it’s going to be okay.
“I know it might seem impossible, but I promise it’s going to get better. You are going to make it. Every day you grow, and you have a choice to be better. It’s okay to feel down, but you have to get up and remember who you are, who you want to be! And I can’t speak from your perspective, but I have been on the other side. And I can tell you that really hurts. I know that there is someone out there who cares for YOU and who you are. And please, if you need to talk, please reach out to someone. I know I would rather listen to your problems than attend your funeral.”
