Before royal romances dominated social media and streaming docuseries, Princess Caroline of Monaco, daughter of Hollywood icon Grace Kelly, was living a headline-making love story that had Europe — and her parents — on edge.

In the mid-1970s, 20-year-old Caroline began a whirlwind romance with Philippe Junot, a 36-year-old Parisian banker known for his elite social ties and playboy reputation. While Junot came from a well-connected French family, his flashy lifestyle and the significant age difference sparked immediate concern inside the Monaco royal family.

As the relationship gained momentum, Prince Rainier and Princess Grace quietly stepped in. Caroline was first sent on a cultural tour of Ecuador. But soon, she and her mother traveled even farther — to the remote Galápagos Islands. The trip was widely interpreted as an effort by Grace Kelly to distance her daughter from the escalating romance, away from press and palace pressure.

Junot didn’t stay away for long. He flew over 6,000 miles to join Caroline in the Galápagos, reportedly declaring she was the only woman in his life.

The couple had originally met at Régine’s, a glamorous Manhattan nightclub frequented by celebrities and international royals. From that point on, Junot became a constant presence in Caroline’s world. He visited the palace, appeared at high-profile events, and even sat beside her in the royal box at a tennis tournament — a rare honor for anyone not yet part of the royal family.

Despite mounting concern from Monaco’s royal inner circle, the relationship continued.

Princess Caroline’s Fairytale Wedding at the Prince’s Palace

On June 29, 1978, Princess Caroline married Philippe Junot in a beautiful outdoor ceremony at the Prince’s Palace of Monaco, the same location where Grace Kelly had wed Prince Rainier in 1956.

For the occasion, Caroline wore a custom gown by Christian Dior’s Marc Bohan, a close friend of Grace and the House’s longest-serving creative director. The white floral-embroidered organdie dress featured a sheer lace bodice, flowing sleeves, and a soft, full skirt. In true ‘70s bridal style, Caroline wore her hair in two flower-adorned buns with a sweeping veil, skipping the traditional tiara.

A Glamorous Royal Marriage That Didn’t Last

While the wedding was a global media event, the marriage was short-lived. In 1980, just two years later, Princess Caroline and Philippe Junot divorced.

In 1983, Caroline married her second husband, Stefano Casiraghi. The couple had three children together before Stefano tragically died in a powerboat racing accident in 1990.

Nearly a decade later, in 1999, Caroline married Prince Ernst August of Hanover, head of the royal House of Hanover, further strengthening Monaco’s royal ties to European nobility.