Japanese princess hides identity to secretly study abroad
Japan's Royal Princess Mako, who has been likened to the Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton, has been living quietly in the UK for the past year.
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| Princess Mako of the Akishino family. (Source: independent) |
Princess Mako of the Akishino clan, the eldest granddaughter of Emperor Akihito, is currently studying for a Master's degree in art and museum studies at the University of Leicester.
The 23-year-old princess, the elder sister of Prince Hisahito, third in line to the throne, rarely appears in public even when she is in her own country.
She started life as a normal student at university last September, staying in halls of residence, walking freely around campus and completing a two-month experience programme at Coventry Museum.
The Japanese royal family decided to reveal Princess Mako's presence in the UK after she completed her course and will graduate in January next year.
“She was a wonderful student,” Professor Simon Knell, the princess’s supervisor, was quoted as saying by the Leicester Mercury, Britain’s Mercury newspaper. “Anyone would love someone who is as polite to your ideas as they are to their own opinions. We had a great teacher-student relationship. She was humble, kind and likeable.”
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| Mako hid her identity while studying abroad in England. (Source: independent) |
However, when a reporter suddenly asked her about her time in Leicester, Princess Mako politely bowed before replying in Japanese that it was a wonderful experience.
The Japanese royal family has been in a crisis of succession for some time, as traditionally only male descendants of the emperor are allowed to inherit the throne. The Japanese government has considered changing this rule since Crown Prince Naruhito, Princess Mako's uncle, has no male heir.
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However, the crisis ended in September 2006, when Princess Mako's mother, Princess Kiko, gave birth to Prince Hisahito./.
According to Vietnam+
