Princess Ayako of Takamado, the youngest daughter of Emperor Akihito’s cousin Norihito, Prince Takamado, has married commoner Kei Moriya today in a ceremony at the Meiji Shrine in Tokyo today. She officially lost her Imperial titles upon marriage. From now on, she will be known as Mrs Kei Moriya.
Japan’s Princess Ayako marries commoner, loses royal status https://t.co/4L15GT2ajH pic.twitter.com/2KaYk5uS44
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) October 29, 2018
The Princess arrived at the shrine in traditional court attire – a kimono robe and hakama pants with her in the osuberakashi style while her groom wore a morning suit. They exchanged rings and read out weddings oaths during the Shinto ceremony, which was attended by about 30 people.
Afterwards, the couple spoke to the waiting press. “I’m very happy that many people were able to celebrate (our marriage),” the princess told reporters. “We want to make efforts to become a couple like my mother and father.” She added that her late father, who died in 2002, “would have rejoiced at my marriage”, and added that the top hat Moriya was holding had been her father’s. Kei Moriya said he hoped to “build a family full of laughter and smiles.”
With the departure of Princess Ayako, the number of Imperial family members has dropped to 18, of which 13 are female. Under the Imperial House Law, women lose their royal title after marrying commoners. In addition, Crown Prince Naruhito only has a daughter, who cannot succeed to the throne. The throne is set to pass to the Crown Prince’s brother.
Her mother said in a statement she had raised her daughter to “prepare for the day when she supports herself” and wishes that the two “will build a good family full of joy and happiness.”
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