The secret love story of a Japanese princess marrying a commoner
Princess Ayako has become the second Japanese princess in two years to announce she will marry a commoner, a move that will require her to give up her royal status.
The Japanese Imperial Household Agency announced on June 26 that the third and youngest daughter of the late Prince Takamodo, cousin of Emperor Akihito, will marry Kei Moriya, 32, an employee of the shipping company NYK Line.
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| Princess Ayako. Photo: Vogue |
The two began dating less than a year ago and will officially get engaged on August 12. Their wedding ceremony will be held at Tokyo's Meiji Jingu Shrine on October 29.
According to CNN, Princess Ayako has a master's degree in social welfare. It was her mother, Princess Takamodo, who first introduced her daughter to Moriya last December.
Princess Takamodo, who knew Moriya's parents through their involvement with a local NGO, introduced Princess Ayako to the shipping company employee, hoping her daughter would be inspired by global welfare activities.
However, the two young people quickly realized they had more in common than just their passion for social activities. They shared interests in skiing, reading and traveling.
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| Japanese princesses attending a Royal ceremony (from right to left) include Ayako, her sister Tsuguko, cousins Yoko, Akiko and Mako. Photo: Kyodo News |
Under Japanese Imperial Law, the princess will have to give up her royal status after marrying a commoner. However, she will receive a cash award expected to be equivalent to $1 million.
Ayako is not the first princess of her generation to decide to leave her royal title.
In May 2017, Princess Mako, her second cousin and the Emperor’s eldest grandchild, announced her intention to marry another commoner, Kei Komoro. However, in February 2018, the couple postponed their wedding, saying they were not ready for married life.
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| Princess Mako and her fiancé Kei Komoro announced the postponement of their wedding in February 2018. Photo: Kyodo News |
Ayako is not a direct descendant of Emperor Akihito, so she has not received as much public attention as Princess Mako. However, her engagement to a commoner is believed to raise questions about the future of the world's oldest constitutional monarchy.
Emperor Akihito plans to abdicate in 2019. Despite disagreements over legislation to allow women to inherit the Japanese throne, the birth of Prince Hisahito in 2016 (the first male heir born into the Imperial family in 40 years) ended the controversy.
If Princesses Mako and Ayako both marry commoners, the number of Imperial family members will decrease to 17, increasing the burden of responsibilities on the remaining members.
A resolution added to the Emperor's abdication bill last June called on the government to begin considering succession issues, including allowing princesses to establish new branches after they marry commoners and letting new members take on royal duties.
