1. Overview
Leah Isadora Behn, born on April 8, 2005, is a distinguished member of the Norwegian Royal Family. She is the second daughter of Princess Märtha Louise of Norway and her late former husband, Ari Behn, and a grandchild of King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway. While she holds a position in the line of succession to the Norwegian throne, she does not possess any royal titles and functions as a private citizen. This status affords her the freedom to pursue various personal interests, which include engaging in modeling, photography, and creating makeup tutorials, often shared through her active presence on digital platforms such as YouTube and TikTok, reflecting a modern approach to public life for individuals connected to royalty.
2. Life
Leah Isadora Behn's life has been marked by her unique position within the Norwegian monarchy and significant personal milestones, from her birth in a royal summer residence to major family changes.
2.1. Birth and family background
Leah Isadora Behn was born on April 8, 2005. She is the second daughter of Princess Märtha Louise of Norway and Ari Behn, a Norwegian author. Her paternal grandparents are Olav Bjørshol and Marianne Solberg, while her maternal grandparents are King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway. She has an older sister, Maud Angelica Behn, and a younger sister, Emma Tallulah Behn, both of whom are also members of the Norwegian Royal Family.
2.2. Childhood and christening
Behn was born at Bloksbjerg, her mother's summer residence located on the island of Hankø, Norway. Her christening took place on June 16, 2005, in the chapel of the Royal Palace, Oslo. Her godparents included Princess Laurentien of the Netherlands, her mother's friends Gry Brusletto and Katharina Salbu, her father's brother Espen Bjørshol, her father's friend Jon Andreas Håtun, and Didrik Vigsnæs, who is the husband of Princess Märtha Louise's bridesmaid and second cousin Marianne Ulrichsen. Her grandmother, Queen Sonja, carried her to the baptismal font.
The naming of Leah Isadora garnered international attention when her mother, Princess Märtha Louise, revealed that the name "Leah" was inspired by the Star Wars character Princess Leia. Princess Märtha Louise stated in an interview with the Norwegian newspaper Aftenposten, "I must admit that I have always been a big 'Star Wars' fan, and Princess Leia has always been the most beautiful in the whole world". Her middle name, "Isadora," was chosen in honor of the American ballet dancer Isadora Duncan, a favorite of her grandfather, King Harald V.
2.3. Family changes
On August 5, 2016, Behn's parents, Princess Märtha Louise and Ari Behn, initiated divorce proceedings, with the intention of sharing custody of their daughters. The divorce was finalized in 2017. Tragically, her father, Ari Behn, died by suicide on Christmas Day, 2019. His funeral service was held in the Oslo Cathedral. In April 2021, her mother had expressed plans to relocate to the United States with Behn and her sisters once the COVID-19 pandemic subsided, though this move ultimately did not occur.
2.4. Residences
Over the years, Leah Isadora Behn and her family have resided in several locations. They lived in Islington, London, where they moved in September 2012, before moving to New York. Subsequently, the family settled in Lommedalen, a valley situated just outside Oslo, Norway.
3. Activities and Interests
Leah Isadora Behn actively pursues various creative and public endeavors, utilizing modern digital platforms to share her passions.
3.1. Public activities
As a private citizen, Behn has engaged in several public activities that align with her personal interests. These include modeling, photography, and creating makeup tutorials. She maintains a significant online presence, running her own YouTube channel and a TikTok page, where she shares insights into her life and interests with a wider audience. These platforms allow her to express her creativity and connect with followers, demonstrating a modern approach to public engagement for a non-titled member of a royal family.
3.2. Participation in major events
In 2022, Leah Isadora Behn made her debut at Le Bal des Débutantes in Paris, France. She was notably the first Norwegian debutante to be presented at this prestigious high-society event. Her participation marked a significant milestone in her public life, drawing international attention.
4. Royal status and succession
Leah Isadora Behn's connection to the Norwegian monarchy is defined by her lineage and position within the line of succession, distinct from official royal duties.
4.1. Relationship with the Royal Family
Leah Isadora Behn is a member of the Norwegian Royal Family through her mother, Princess Märtha Louise of Norway. However, she and her sisters do not hold any royal titles. They are considered private citizens, which grants them more freedom to pursue personal interests and careers compared to their cousins who do hold official royal titles and duties. This distinction allows Behn to engage in public activities like modeling and social media influencing without the formal obligations typically associated with working royals.
4.2. Line of succession
Leah Isadora Behn is currently sixth in the line of succession to the Norwegian throne. She follows her older sister, Maud Angelica Behn, in the order of succession. Beyond the Norwegian throne, she also holds a position in the line of succession to the British throne, currently placed 73rd. This British claim stems from her descent through Queen Maud of Norway, who was the youngest daughter of King Edward VII.
5. Ancestry
Leah Isadora Behn's lineage connects her to various royal houses and notable figures. Her paternal grandparents are Olav Bjørshol and Marianne Solberg. Her maternal grandparents are King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway.
Through her maternal line, she is a great-granddaughter of King Olav V and Princess Märtha of Sweden. Her great-great-grandparents include King Haakon VII and Princess Maud of the United Kingdom on her great-grandfather's side, and Prince Carl, Duke of Västergötland and Princess Ingeborg of Denmark on her great-grandmother's side. Her ancestry further extends to King Edward VII, who was her maternal great-great-great-grandfather.