‘Playboy’ first husband of Princess Caroline of Monaco dies aged 85: Royal married French businessman Philippe Junot who was 17 years her senior when she was just 21

The first husband of Princess Caroline of Monaco – who was regarded as a dashing society playboy in his youth – has died at the age of 85.

French businessman Philippe Junot ‘peacefully’ passed away on January 8, his daughter Victoria has revealed.

In an emotional Instagram post shared over the weekend, the eldest child of Philippe and Danish model and socialite Nina Wendelboe-Larsen said the venture capitalist and property developer died ‘surrounded by family’ in Madrid, where he lived.

Describing her father as a ‘true gentleman’, Victoria wrote: ‘To my legendary Papa, oh how we love you, we will miss you, no adequate words’. 

Alluding to her father’s famously debonair appearance, she wrote: ‘Almost every picture I selected, he’s wearing a suit.’

Philippe had been born into an esteemed family, as the son of former Deputy Mayor of Paris, Michel Junot, who had worked with US President John F Kennedy. 

The Junots were direct descendants of France’s General Junot, who had served under Napoleon and whose name is inscribed on the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

However, it was Philippe’s high-profile and controversial marriage to Princess Caroline, who was 17 years his junior, in 1978 which he will be best remembered for. 

The glamorous young couple had met at a Parisian nightclub while Prince Albert’s sister was studying philosophy, psychology and biology at the Sorbonne.

The ensuing courtship fascinated royals fans. Caroline – already drawing plenty of attention on the international stage thanks to her stylish persona – was just 21 years old, while Philippe was 38 at the time.

The pair were photographed suntanned on beach breaks, enjoying the kind of jet-set life such a gilded heritage affords. 

In 1978, just a few months after they fell in love, the pair announced their plans to marry. 

Caroline had already rebelled against her mother, Grace Kelly, and father, Prince Rainier, when she insisted she studied in Paris instead of attending a university in America as her parents wanted. 

While in France, the Monegasque Royal Family ‘winced’ at photographs of the princess in nightclubs, ‘showing too much cleavage’, the Daily Mail reported at the time.

Despite his high social status, Junot was a ‘commoner’ in the eyes of her parents and the press – but that didn’t deter the young princess. 

‘I will not tolerate an arranged marriage. The man I love must be dark and handsome,’ Caroline once said.

An eight-month disagreement and ‘battle of wills’ between Caroline, Rainier and Grace ensued.

Spanish businesswoman Carmen Lomana (pictured right) and Philippe Junot attend a party on August 9, 2013 in Marbella, Spain

The couple, who had a 17-year age gap – Princess Caroline was just 21 when she fell for Junot – had met at a Parisian nightclub while she was studying at the Sorbonne (pictured in Monaco in 1978)

Princess Grace, Princess Caroline and Philippe Junot in New Jersey in 1978

Princess Caroline and Phillipe Junot in New York City in 1977

The princess’s parents sent their daughter on a tour of Ecuador to try and put a stop to the relationship, while Grace then travelled with Caroline to the remote Galápagos Islands, reportedly in another effort to thwart the romance.

But after the princess declared she would marry Philippe without her parent’s consent if they did not agree, a wedding went ahead.

Aged 21, Caroline married the 38-year-old through a civil ceremony in a 16th-century throne room on June 28, 1978.

They then spent a night apart and wed the next day in a religious ceremony in the palace chapel due to Roman Catholic customs.

Prince Rainier wanted to keep the wedding low profile, compared to his own regal ceremony with Grace.

Wearing a long Dior bridal dress, Caroline reportedly burst into tears as she exchanged vows with Philippe under a custom altar outside of the chapel in front of the 300 guests.

All eyes were on the parents of the bride, however, and their reaction to the union.

After the service, Caroline and Philippe walked through Monte Carlo arm in arm in a ‘triumphal march’ before heading on their honeymoon to Tahiti. 

Princess Caroline and Philippe Junot on July 30, 1978 at Ocean City Beach in New Jersey

Princess Caroline pictured on her wedding day to Philippe Junot in 1978, with her father Prince Rainier pictured left and her mother Grace Kelly behind

Caroline’s parents were said to be dismayed by the relationship. Here the couple are pictured on their honeymoon 

However, the romance did not last and the couple divorced two years later in October 1980 after Caroline saw photos of Philippe and another woman in America, according to Vanity Fair. 

Caroline went on to marry again on December 29, 1983, to Italian entrepreneur Stefano Casiraghi, whom she had met at a nightclub in Monte Carlo. 

Six months after the wedding, she gave birth to her first child Andrea Albert Pierre Casiraghi on June 8, 1984.

They had two more children together, Charlotte Marie Pomeline Casiraghi and Pierre Rainier Stefano Casiraghi.

Tragically, Caroline’s husband Stefano, who was an avid speed boat racer, was killed when his powerboat overturned during a racing competition.

Five years later, Caroline found love a third time in an old family friend, Prince Ernst-August of Hanover. 

They wed on the princess’s 42nd birthday in 1999, and six months later Caroline gave birth to her fourth child, Alexandra.

Caroline and Prince Ernst-August have since separated but not legally divorced, according to Tatler.

Philippe Junot and his second wife Nina Wendelboe-Larsen in Madrid in March 2024

Philippe also remarried. He tied the knot with Nina Wendelboe-Larsen in 1987. They went on to have three children: Victoria, Isabelle and Alexis.

The couple separated in 1997, and in 2005, the venture capitalist welcomed a baby girl, Chloé Junot Wendel, with the Swedish model Helén Wendel.

Taking to her Instagram account over the weekend to announce his passing, Philippe’s eldest daughter wrote: ‘With an emotional heart, sad to announce the passing of my father. 

‘He departed this side of the world peacefully surrounded by family in Jan 8, 2026 in Madrid after a long beautiful adventurous life. A grandfather of 3 almost 4. 

‘To my legendary Papa, oh how we love you. We will miss you, no adequate words… thank you for all the laughs and the adventures, showing us *your* world & the inspiration to reach greater heights, thank you for your love which will never leave us.

‘What a privilege to have lived by your side. A true gentlemen that he was. A difficult chapter to close but we will continue smiling and living and laughing to the max just as he would want us all to do. Until we meet again.’