Daniel Ducruet was born in Beausoleil, France on November 27, 1964. A handsome, muscular, six-foot athlete and bodybuilder he worked as a pet shop salesman and fishmonger before being accepted into the Monaco police force as a trainee officer in 1986.

Within two years he had been appointed a Palace bodyguard with responsibility for Prince Albert. In 1991, he was appointed by Prince Rainier to accompany his daughter Princess Stephanie as bodyguard on her ill-fated tour to promote her record album.

The princess had two children by Daniel: Louis (born 1992) and Pauline (born 1994) before marrying him in a civil ceremony on July 1, 1995.

The couple were divorced in 1996 after lurid photographs were published of Daniel frolicking at poolside in Villefranche-sur-Mer with Muriel "Fili" Houteman (or "Fily"), variously described as either "Miss Nude Belgium" or "Miss Bare Breasts Belgium". She and two associates (former lover Yves Hoogewys and photographer Stephane de Lisiecki) were later given suspended sentences for their role in entrapping Ducruet, charges which De Lisiecki admitted but Houteman denied. Hoogewys and de Lisiecki were also ordered to make financial compensation to Ducruet. Ducruet's assertion that there may have been palace involvement in the setup has never been proven. After the divorce, Stephanie bought his share of their joint business interest Replay Stores .

Daniel has since launched a career as a singer releasing two albums "Pourquoi Pas" and "Jamais personne" . He has also taken part in the Italian reality TV show "La Fattoria" .

He was previously married to Sandra Naccache and also has another son Michel born 1991 with former girlfriend Martine Malbouvier .

Louis and Pauline Ducruet have been legitimated by their parents' marriage and are currently 7th and 8th in the line of succession.