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Maud Angelica Behn

Maud Angelica Behn is a private citizen and eldest grandchild of Norway's King Harald V, known for her mental health advocacy and debut book "Threads of Tears".

1. Early life

Maud Angelica Behn's early life was marked by her birth into the Norwegian royal family, her baptism steeped in royal tradition, and a childhood that included international residencies before her formal education in Norway.

1.1. Birth and baptism

Maud Angelica Behn was born on 29 April 2003 at Rikshospitalet, a University Hospital in Oslo, Norway. This was also the birthplace of her mother, Princess Märtha Louise of Norway. Her name, Maud, honors her great-great-grandmother, Maud of Wales, who was the youngest daughter of King Edward VII.

She was christened at Slottskapellet (the Palace Chapel) within the Royal Palace, Oslo, Norway, on 2 July 2003. This date notably coincided with the one-hundredth birthday of her great-grandfather, King Olav V of Norway. Her godparents include prominent figures such as her grandfather, King Harald V, and her uncle, Crown Prince Haakon. Other godparents are Princess Alexandra of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg, her aunt Anja Sabrina Bjørshol, her mother's cousin Marianne Ulrichsen, the actor Kåre Conradi, and the politician Trond Giske.

1.2. Childhood and education

During her childhood, the Behn family experienced several changes in residency. They lived in Islington, London, and then in New York City, United States, before settling in Lommedalen, a valley located outside of Oslo, Norway. In September 2012, the family again relocated to Islington, London.

In the autumn of 2009, Maud Angelica Behn began her formal education at the Bærum Waldorf School, known in Norwegian as Steinerskolen i BærumSteiner school in BærumNorwegian. This is an independent Steiner school situated in Bærum, a suburb to the west of Oslo.

2. Family and personal life

Maud Angelica Behn's family and personal life have been significantly shaped by major events, including her parents' divorce and the profound loss of her father. She also shares a close bond with her younger sisters.

2.1. Parents' divorce and father's death

On 5 August 2016, her parents, Princess Märtha Louise of Norway and Ari Behn, initiated divorce proceedings. The divorce was officially finalized in 2017.

Tragically, Ari Behn died by suicide on Christmas Day, 2019. His funeral was held at Oslo Cathedral, where he was subsequently buried. His death had a profound impact on Maud Angelica and the entire family. She later spoke publicly about her father's struggles, believing he suffered from many ailments.

2.2. Siblings

Maud Angelica Behn has two younger sisters. Leah Isadora Behn was born on 8 April 2005, and Emma Tallulah Behn was born on 29 September 2008.

3. Public activities and contributions

Maud Angelica Behn has increasingly engaged in public activities, demonstrating her commitment to social causes, particularly mental health awareness, and showcasing her creative talents in literature and art.

3.1. Funeral speech and mental health advocacy

Following her father's death, Maud Angelica Behn delivered a deeply moving speech at his funeral. The speech garnered widespread national attention in Norway, with the newspaper Aftenposten commenting that "It does not get more powerful than this."

In the aftermath of her father's passing, Behn publicly shared her thoughts on mental illness and suicide, becoming an advocate for these issues. Her courage and openness in discussing such sensitive topics led to her being awarded the Acute Psychiatry Prize for 2020, recognizing her significant contributions to public awareness in this field.

3.2. Literary and artistic works

In October 2021, Maud Angelica Behn made her debut as an author and illustrator with the publication of her first book, Threads of Tears. The book tells the story of a girl whose life is shadowed by darkness, yet who learns to weave the threads of her tears into something meaningful.

A significant print run of 10,000 copies was produced for its release. Upon its publication, Threads of Tears immediately rose to the first position on the Norwegian Booksellers Association bestseller list, indicating its commercial success and public reception. In addition to her published work, Behn regularly shares her original drawings on Instagram, showcasing her ongoing artistic endeavors.

3.3. Other public appearances

Maud Angelica Behn has also participated in other public events and media appearances. In 2022, she competed in the Norwegian version of the international singing competition Masked Singer, known locally as Maskorama.

4. Status within the royal family

Maud Angelica Behn is an integral member of the Norwegian royal family, though her formal status differs from her royal relatives. She is the eldest grandchild of the reigning monarchs, King Harald V and Queen Sonja.

The Norwegian royal family officially includes King Harald and Queen Sonja; Crown Prince Haakon, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, and Prince Sverre Magnus; Princess Märtha Louise of Norway and her three daughters, Maud Angelica Behn, Leah Isadora Behn, and Emma Tallulah Behn; and Princess Astrid, Mrs. Ferner. Despite her inclusion as a member of the royal family, Maud Angelica Behn is considered a private citizen and does not hold any royal title.

4.1. Line of succession

Maud Angelica Behn is currently fifth in the line of succession to the Norwegian throne. This position is governed by the Constitution of Norway, which was amended in 1990 to introduce full cognatic primogeniture. This change dictates that the eldest child, regardless of sex, is first in the line of succession. However, this reform was applied without displacing Crown Prince Haakon, as it only affects individuals born after 1989. For women born between 1971 and 1989, specifically Maud Angelica Behn's mother, Princess Märtha Louise, succession rights were granted, but the new primogeniture rule did not apply to them. This particular aspect of the change has been subject to controversy.

Furthermore, Maud Angelica Behn also holds a position in the line of succession to the British throne. She is currently 72nd in the line of succession to the British throne, inheriting this right through her ancestry from Maud of Wales, who was the youngest daughter of King Edward VII.

5. Ancestry

Maud Angelica Behn's ancestry can be traced through both her paternal and maternal lines, connecting her to both commoners and royal families across Europe.

  • Parents:
    • Ari Mikael Bjørshol (Ari Behn)
    • Princess Märtha Louise of Norway
  • Paternal Grandparents:
    • Olav Bjørshol
    • Marianne Solberg
  • Maternal Grandparents:
    • King Harald V of Norway
    • Sonja Haraldsen (later Queen Sonja)
  • Paternal Great-grandparents:
    • Bjarne Nikolai Bjørshol
    • Haldis Petrine Hansen
    • Andreas Solberg
    • Anne Marie Behn
  • Maternal Great-grandparents:
    • King Olav V of Norway
    • Princess Märtha of Sweden
    • Karl August Haraldsen
    • Dagny Ulrichsen
  • Paternal Great-great-grandparents:
    • Olav Bjørshol
    • Kristine
    • Halvdan Hansen
    • Petrine Andrea Pedersen
    • Alf Martinus Solberg
    • Karen Fredrikke Hansen
    • Sigurd Behn
    • Hjørdis Marie Johansen
  • Maternal Great-great-grandparents:
    • King Haakon VII of Norway
    • Maud of the United Kingdom
    • Prince Carl of Sweden, Duke of Västergötland
    • Princess Ingeborg of Denmark
    • Halvor Haraldsen
    • Carethe Josephine Nielsen
    • Johan Christian Ulrichsen
    • Berntine Marie Hansen
    The royal coat of arms of Norway.
    The royal coat of arms of Norway.