After enduring years of the media sniping and stalling her plans of marriage, Japan’s Princess Mako of Akishino is ready to give up her royal titles to marry her fiancé, Kei Komoru, later this year.
Under Japanese law, the niece of Emperor Naruhito must renounce her royal status as she has chosen to marry a commoner.
She is, however, entitled to a 150 million yen (~AUD $1.8 million) payment from the Japanese government, funded by taxpayers, to kickstart her life as an ordinary citizen.
The payment’s aim is “to preserve the dignity of a person who was once a member of the imperial family” but, according to the Times of London, she has refused the offer.
Princess Mako plans to move to the United States of America to join her soon-to-be husband once they are wed.
THEIR LOVE STORY
The couple met in 2012, while studying at the International Christian University in Tokyo, where Mako confessed that she was first attracted to his “bright smile”.
They got engaged in 2017 and had initially planned to marry in November 2018 but the nuptials were postponed due to “immaturity” according to Mako at that time.
But now, the couple is gearing up for their big day.
The princess expressed that marriage was necessary for them to live and honour their hearts.
“We are irreplaceable for one another, and we lean on each other in happy times and unhappy ones.” She said
Her father, Crown Prince Fumihito, has said he approves of his daughter’s marriage to Komuro but suggested that it has to be welcomed by a so-far skeptical public.
“I mean, I approve of them getting married. The Constitution says marriage shall be based only on the mutual consent of both sexes. If that is what they really want, then I think that is something I need to respect as a parent,” the crown prince said last November at a press conference to mark his 55th birthday.
If the princess marries Komuro without the traditional ceremonies, she would be the first female imperial family member to skip them in postwar Japan. She would also be first former member of the imperial family to settle overseas after the wedding.
Now, Japan’s monarchy is in big trouble as their Imperial House members slowly dwindle. As there are only 3 male successors left, debates are ongoing if the 1947 imperial household laws should be revised so that females can be eligible to ascend the throne and preserve the House.
