The two of them are now expected to move to New York soon, where Komuro practices as a lawyer.
Being born into a royal family guarantees you an easy life, but it also comes with its fair share of rules and regulations, some of which are beyond perception for regular people like us. The Japanese monarchy is said to be the oldest in the world, but when 30-year-old Princess Mako of Japan, Emperor Naruhito’s niece and the daughter of his younger brother, Crown Prince Fumihito, got married to Kei Komuro, 30, there was no lavish wedding ceremony.
Instead, the two quietly registered their marriage at a government office, according to NBC News. The two of them are now expected to move to New York soon, where Komuro practices as a lawyer.
When Princess Mako tied the knot with Komuro, a commoner, she also gave up her right to the throne. It has also been reported that Mako declined a 140 million yen ($1.23 million) payment she is entitled to receive as a female royal after they lose their imperial status by marrying a commoner. The reason the former princess refused to accept the money is due to concerns that a controversial marriage might benefit from taxpayer money, according to NPR.
LOVE CONQUERS ALL: Japanese Princess Mako quietly married a commoner without traditional wedding celebrations.
— ABC News (@ABC) October 27, 2021
The marriage to Kei Komuro cost Mako her royal status. https://t.co/8SFfwk45XP pic.twitter.com/lCdRKdEdqD
She is the first female member of the royal family to decline both, states BBC.
It was further revealed that the initial plan was for the two of them to get married three years ago, after their engagement was announced in September 2017, but it was pushed due to disapproval of her groom, because of a financial dispute involving his mother.
However, Mako says that giving up her royal status and forgoing the payment “was a necessary choice to live while cherishing our hearts,” per the Associated Press. “For me, Kei-san is a priceless person. For us, our marriage was a necessary choice to live while cherishing our hearts,” Mako said in a televised news conference, using an honorific in speaking of her husband.
Japanese Princess Mako quietly married a commoner without traditional wedding celebrations and said their marriage — delayed three years and called unfit by some — “was a necessary choice to live while cherishing our hearts.” https://t.co/8Nuvr55MOG pic.twitter.com/FUftoQx7Mi
— ABC News (@ABC) October 26, 2021
Komuro responded: “I love Mako. I live only once and I want to spend it with someone I love.” He said he hopes to be with Mako to share feelings and encourage each other in happy times and difficult times. “I hope to have a warm family with Mako-san, and I will continue to do everything to support her,” he said.
References:
https://apnews.com/article/japan-princess-mako-wedding-royal-status-888700204e714145be58e320f1dc0fe0
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-59046476
Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Photo by Nicolas Datiche
