‘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 seen as the flamboyant playboy of society in her youth, died at the age of 85.

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

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

Describing her father as a ‘true gentleman’, Victoria wrote: ‘To my legendary father, oh how we love you, we will miss you, words are not enough.’

Referring to her father’s famously genial appearance, she wrote: ‘He wears a suit in almost every picture I choose.’

Philippe was born into a respected family, the son of former Paris Deputy Mayor Michel Junot, who worked with US President John F Kennedy.

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

But what Philippe will be best remembered for was his high-profile and controversial marriage to Princess Caroline, 17 years his junior, in 1978.

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

The courtship that followed fascinated royal fans. Caroline, who had already attracted great attention on the international stage with her stylish personality, was only 21 years old, and Philippe was 38 years old at that time.

The couple were photographed working on their tan during beach breaks, enjoying the jet-setting life that such a gilded legacy provides.

In 1978, just a few months after falling in love, the two announced their plans to marry.

Caroline had already rebelled against her mother, Grace Kelly, and her father, Prince Rainier, when she insisted on studying in Paris rather than attending a university in America as her parents wanted.

While in France, the Monegasque Royal Family were ‘startled’ by photos of the princess in nightclubs ‘showing too much cleavage’, the Daily Mail reported.

Despite his high social status, Junot was an ‘ordinary’ figure in the eyes of his parents and the press; But this did not deter the young princess.

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

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

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

The couple, who have a 17-year age difference (Princess Caroline was only 21 when she fell in love with Junot), met at a nightclub in Paris while studying at the Sorbonne (the photo was taken in Monaco in 1978).

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

Princess Caroline and Phillipe Junot in New York in 1977

The princess’s parents sent their daughter on a tour of Ecuador in an attempt to put an end to the relationship, while Grace later traveled with Caroline to the remote Galápagos Islands in another effort to thwart the romance.

However, after the princess announced that she could marry Philippe without her parents’ consent, if her parents did not agree, a wedding was arranged.

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

They then spent a night apart and were married the next day in a religious ceremony in the palace chapel, in accordance with Roman Catholic custom.

Prince Rainier wanted to keep his wedding low-profile compared to his royal ceremony with Grace.

Caroline, wearing a long Dior wedding dress, reportedly burst into tears as she and Philippe exchanged vows in front of 300 guests under a private altar outside the chapel.

However, all eyes were on the bride’s parents and their reactions to this union.

After the ceremony, Caroline and Philippe walked arm in arm in a ‘victory march’ through Monte Carlo before heading to Tahiti for their honeymoon.

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

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

It was said that Caroline’s parents were unhappy with the relationship. Here are the photos of the couple on their honeymoon

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

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

Philippe also remarried. He married Nina Wendelboe-Larsen in 1987. They had three children: Victoria, Isabelle and Alexis.

The couple separated in 1997, and in 2005 the venture capitalist gave birth to a daughter, Chloé Junot Wendel, with Swedish model Helén Wendel.

Philippe’s eldest daughter wrote about his death at the weekend on her Instagram account: ‘With an emotional heart, I am saddened to announce the death of my father.

‘After a long, beautiful and adventurous life, he left this side of the world peacefully with his family in Madrid on January 8, 2026. A 3 year old grandfather is almost 4 years old.

‘To my Legendary Dad, oh how we love you ❤️ we will miss you, there are not enough words… thank you for all the laughter and adventures that show us *your* world and the inspiration to reach higher, thank you for the love that will never leave us.

‘What a privilege it is to live next to you. He was a true gentleman. It’s a hard chapter to close, but we will continue to smile, live, and laugh until the end, just like he wanted us all to do. Until we meet again.’