Princess Märtha Louise considers ethics complaint against Se og Hør over Ari Behn funeral payments

Princess Märtha Louise of Norway is evaluating whether to file a formal complaint with the Norwegian Press Complaints Commission (PFU) against the magazine Se og Hør, following reports that the publication paid for the funeral of her late ex-husband, Ari Behn, Dagbladet reports.

The princess condemned the alleged actions in an interview with TV 2, calling them “cynical, unethical, and an exploitation of vulnerable people in grief.” Her comments come after the news site iNyheter claimed this week that Se og Hør covered Behn’s burial costs in January 2020 and secured exclusive rights to images from the event.

“Not acceptable” “After Ari’s death, everyone close to him was in deep crisis,” Märtha Louise told TV 2. “It is not acceptable for a media outlet to buy access to a family’s sorrow for its own gain.”

Simon Eriksen Valvik, an advisor to the princess, confirmed to Dagbladet that they are assessing whether to submit a PFU complaint. “This case is significant and may qualify for a complaint,” Valvik said. He added that new details have emerged since iNyheter first published its report, prompting further review.

Six-month deadline PFU typically requires complaints to be filed within six months of publication, though exceptions can be made for serious ethical violations involving newly revealed information. Valvik, who previously served as PR manager for Märtha Louise and her current husband, Durek Verrett, noted that multiple sources have since corroborated iNyheter’s claims.

Se og Hør’s editor-in-chief, Niklas Kokkinn-Thoresen, declined to comment, stating only: “I do not find it appropriate to address this matter nearly seven years after Ari’s passing.”

Behn, a Norwegian author and former spouse of the princess, died by suicide during the 2019 Christmas season. The couple had separated in 2016 after 14 years of marriage.