Japanese princess leaves for New York with commoner husband

by Sarakshi Rai - 11/14/21 12:42 PM ET

Former Japanese Princess Mako left Tokyo for New York City on Sunday along with her husband as they begin their new life in the U.S., Reuters reports.

The former royal left the Japanese imperial family to marry her “commoner” husband Kei Komuro last month after a four-year engagement amid criticism from the Japanese public.

The newlyweds were spotted at Tokyo’s Haneda International Airport before boarding an ANA flight for New York, Reuters adds.

The move has been a long time in the making. The BBC reports that the 30-year-olds have rented an apartment in the Big Apple where Komuro works as a lawyer.

Under Japanese law, female members of the royal family have to give up their royal status upon marriage to a “commoner.” However, this rule does not apply to the male members of the imperial family.

Mako also refused a one-off $1.23 million payment offered to royal females upon their exit from the family.

Mako, the daughter of Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko, has taken her husband’s surname after marriage, and will also work at a law firm in New York, according to the BBC.

Komuro is currently employed in New York as a legal clerk but recently failed the New York bar exam.

“I love Mako. I live only once and I want to spend it with someone I love,” Komuro said at a press conference shortly after their wedding. “I hope to have a warm family with Mako-san, and I will continue to do everything to support her.”

The couple’s engagement and subsequent marriage was met with harsh criticism from the Japanese public, and Mako has said she since developed poor mental health and severe post traumatic stress disorder.

Tags Kei Komuro Mako