Princess Mako of Japan loses royal status as she marries commoner
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Princess Mako and her now-husband Kei Komuro have been dubbed as Japan's own Harry and Meghan Markle.
It's not the fairytale ending people may have wanted, but it is a happy ending for Japan's Princess Mako today as she is now married to her college sweetheart, Kei Komuro.
Princess Mako had left her residence to get her marriage registered at 10 a.m. (Japan time), showing her respect to her parents Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko by bowing several times. A Japanese news outlet reports that she also hugged her younger sister.
The marriage also results in Princess Mako losing her royal status as mandated by Japanese law. While female imperial family members lose their status when they marry a commoner, male members get to keep their status. This has also caused them to be compared to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
The marriage was a simple affair as the princess did not choose to hold a royal wedding. Princess Mako also refused to accept the approximately $1.3 million payment female members of the royal family are given should they leave the imperial family.
The road to the couple's marriage has been especially rocky, with numerous controversies being attached to them. The couple were initially meant to get married in 2018 after their 2017 engagement, but it was then delayed.
It was speculated that the revelation of Kei's mother having unpaid debts with her ex-fiance was the cause for the delay, but the palace has denied any connection.
Even Kei's hairstyle was scrutinized upon his return to Japan after returning from the United States, with people saying his ponytail was not appropriate for someone set to marry a member of the royal family.
The couple are also expected to hold a news conference today and give written answers to five pre-selected questions. The Imperial Household Agency says Princess Mako "feels a strong sense of anxiety” about verbally answering questions. It was revealed earlier this month that the princess was suffering from complex post-traumatic stress disorder.
After getting married, the couple are expected to move to the United States, where Kei works as a lawyer.
If you're curious about other royals who have dropped their titles, check out the gallery below.
