Japanese Princess Renounces Royal Status to Marry a Commoner

Japanese Princess Mako Akishino, the granddaughter of Emperor Akihito of Japan, announced her engagement to her student friend, who won her over with a smile "bright as the sun."

(8 photos in total)

Source: BBC

Princess Mako.

Kei Komuro and Princess Mako.

The chosen one of the 25-year-old princess was her coeval Kei Komuro, a lawyer's assistant. They met five years ago at the International Christian University in Tokyo.

At the press conference dedicated to the announcement of the engagement, Mako said: "I was immediately attracted by his smile, bright as the sun." Over time, Princess Mako learned that he is "sincere, strong, hardworking, and has a big heart."

Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko.

Princess Mako introduced the groom to his parents: Prince Akishino, second in line to the chrysanthemum throne, and Princess Kiko. Kei Komuro said he was very glad that the bride's parents accepted him.

Princess Mako, Prince Akishino, Princess Kako, Princess Kiko.

Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko.

Kei Komuro and Princess Mako.

The marriage was approved by the emperor, but it would be followed by the loss of the title for the princess. According to Japanese laws, Mako's rights and privileges will be no different from ordinary Japanese. "Since childhood, I knew that when I got married, I would lose my royal title. And although I helped the emperor and fulfilled my duties as a member of the royal family, I was thinking about my own future," the princess said. And although by law the princess could not claim the throne, there are fears in Japan that the royal family will not be able to fulfill their public duties if the princesses marry people who are not blue bloods. The possibility of allowing princesses to create their own branches of the imperial family after marriage is being discussed.

Kei Komuro and Princess Mako.

Kei Komuro and Princess Mako.

The royal family was going to announce the engagement back in July, but it had to be postponed due to heavy rains that hit the southwestern prefectures. Details of the upcoming wedding are still unknown, but officials of the royal family say that the ceremony is expected in the fall of next year after the mandatory rituals and procedures.