Kei Komuro and Princess Mako.Photo: SHIZUO KAMBAYASHI/AFP via Getty Images
Japan’s formerPrincess Makoand Kei Komuro are ready to begin their next chapter as a married couple.
The niece of the Emperor Naruhito wed Komuro in asubdued ceremonyon Tuesday, opting to give up her royal status in order to marry a commoner. She alsoturned down a $1.3 million payoutfrom the Japanese government that is traditionally paid to royal women who lose their royal status when they marry.
Princess Mako and Kei Komuro.STR/JIJI PRESS/AFP via Getty
“Our loyalty to each other is thanks to our devotion to one another and thanks to the presence of all those who supported us,” she continued. “There are many who understand the difficulty of living while protecting our hearts. I hope that we can create a society where we can all live and support each other’s feelings.”
The couple is likely to relocate to the United States. Komuro graduated from Fordham School of Law in New York City this year and currently works for law firm Lowenstein Sandler LLP. He recently completed the New York state bar exam and is awaiting his results.
Komuro also shared his plans to start a family with his bride.
Princess Mako in 2019.AFP/ KAZUHIRO NOGI / POOL/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
The couple’s decision to leave the royal family and relocate to the U.S. has drawn comparisons toMeghan MarkleandPrince Harry, who stepped back as senior members of the British royal family and moved to California last year.
When asked about the comparison — and the possibility of doing aninterviewlike the one Meghan and Harry gave withOprah Winfreyearlier this year — Mako replied, “It is sad for me to receive this sort of question, which may give the impression that false information is a fact. We have never considered our engagement to be a ‘scandal,’ though unfortunately there have been some disputes.”
Kei Komuro and Princess Mako.SHIZUO KAMBAYASHI/AFP via Getty Images
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The couplebecame engaged in 2013but did not announce their intention to wed until 2017. Public backlash to Mako’s plans was so strong that it caused her father Fumihito, Prince Akishino (the brother of Japan’s Emperor Naruhito) to withhold his approval of the marriage; the couple postponed the wedding for more than four years but stayed the course.
Recently, the palace announced that Princess Mako wasdiagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorderin the wake of negative media coverage.
source: people.com
