Princess Aiko, the eldest daughter of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress, celebrated her 20th birthday on the 1st and became an adult royal family.
Aiko commented, "I would like to take each and every task seriously and help Their Majesties as much as possible."
Aiko expressed her impressions in a document when she was 20 years old, and said, "I am pleased that I was able to successfully reach one milestone of adulthood."
Then, looking back on the days so far, "Through meeting and interacting with various people, I learned the wonderfulness of people holding hands with each other and expanding the circle of exchange, and all my experiences are now me. I am deeply grateful to all who have been involved in my journey to this day. "
On top of that, "From now on, as a member of the adult royal family, I would like to sincerely face each and every task and help Their Majesties as much as possible. I would like to move forward step by step so that I can improve myself while valuing small joys and grow up to be an adult who can help others. "
At the end of her impressions, Aiko touched on the new coronavirus and wrote, "I'm afraid that many people have died. I'm thinking that many people are still living a difficult life." "I hope that everyone will have a peaceful and colorful life as soon as possible, and I look forward to the day when I can meet and talk with you as before." rice field.
With the adulthood of Aiko, celebrations by the executives of the Imperial Household Agency will be held at the Imperial Palace on the 1st, and major events such as the awarding of medals will be held at the Imperial Palace and Palace on the 5th of this month.
It is the first time in seven years since the second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Akishino, Yoshiko, that an adult event will be held in the imperial family, and Aiko will be on duty as an adult royal family in the future.
Press conference for adults In the third week of March next year
The Imperial Household Agency has announced that it will hold a press conference for Aiko's adulthood in the third week of March next year.
Most of the press conferences for the royal family have been held before their 20th birthday.
However, Aiko is still taking university classes online and is busy working on daily tasks such as submitting reports, so the Imperial Household Agency decided to hold a press conference in the third week of March next year. about it.
Regarding this, the Imperial Household Agency said, "It is a once-in-a-lifetime press conference, and it is considered to be the most suitable time for you to calmly think about the answers to your questions while feeling that you are an adult." Explaining.
Aiko's recent situation
学習院大学2年生の愛子さまは、新型コロナウイルスの影響で、この1年、通学の機会はなく、引き続きオンラインでの授業を受けられています。
在籍する文学部日本語日本文学科では、古代から現代までの日本語や日本文学を中心とした日本文化を学ぶ専攻を選んだということで、先生や友達ともオンラインで交流しながら忙しくも充実した毎日を送られているということです。
東日本大震災の発生から10年目にあたることし、愛子さまは、震災に関する報道を目にする機会が増え、巨大な津波の映像や原発事故の様子に改めて衝撃を受けるとともに、家族や親しい人を亡くしたり住み慣れた場所を追われたりした人たちの置かれた状況に大変心を痛められている様子だったということです。
ことしの夏に開幕した東京オリンピックとパラリンピックの各競技のもようはテレビでご覧になりました。
愛子さまは、国境を超えて選手どうしが交流する様子が随所で見られたことに感銘を受け、パラリンピックでは、障害のある選手たちの躍動感あふれる姿やサポートしてきた人たちと喜びを分かち合う姿などが印象に残られた様子だったということです。
愛子さまは、ことし9月には、20年近くにわたって慣れ親しんだ赤坂御用地を離れ、ご一家で皇居に移られました。
引っ越し作業の間に滞在した宮殿では、宮中行事や儀式で使われる部屋を視察しながら、今後、成年皇族として出席が想定される行事の次第や所作について、両陛下から直接説明を受け、身の引き締まる思いを抱かれていた様子だったということです。
Aiko cherishes the time she spends with her family, such as walking around the Imperial Palace with Their Majesties and jogging with Her Majesty the Emperor during times when there are no university classes or on holidays. It means that they are trying to refresh themselves by playing badminton and volleyball with the staff.
For the time being, Aiko will spend her time prioritizing her studies, but when attending Miyanaka events and ceremonies as an adult royal family, she will use the figures of the Imperial family, including Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress, as a model. It means that you want to fulfill your duty with all your heart.
Aiko-sama 20 years of history
愛子さまは平成13年12月1日、天皇皇后両陛下の長女として誕生されました。
敬愛の大切さを身につけて育って欲しいという願いが込められ、お名前は「愛子」さま、称号は「敬宮」とされました。
幼いころはお住まいで絵本に親しむ一方で、外に出て木に登ったりするなど活発に過ごされました。
幼稚園から学習院に通い、初等科の一時期は通学への不安から体調を崩し、雅子さまに付き添われて学校に通う日が続きましたが、それを乗り越えて健やかに成長されました。
中等科の修学旅行では、広島市の平和公園を訪れ、原爆ドームや原爆に関する展示を見学し、被爆者から話を聞いたり、「原爆の子の像」に同級生全員で折った千羽鶴を捧げられたりしました。
この時の経験をもとに卒業文集には「世界の平和を願って」と題する作文を寄せ、「唯一の被爆国に生まれた私たち日本人は、自分の目で見て、感じたことを世界に広く発信していく必要があると思う」などと記されました。
女子高等科2年の夏休みには、英語教育のサマースクールで3週間近くイギリスに滞在されました。
英語の授業を受けたほか、体験学習でロンドン市内や近郊の都市を訪れ、イギリスの文化や歴史、社会に触れられました。
おととし4月30日の上皇さまの退位にあたっては上皇ご夫妻にあいさつする行事に臨み、翌5月1日の天皇陛下の即位では両陛下にお祝いの気持ちを伝えられました。
去年、新型コロナウイルスの影響が広がる中、女子高等科を卒業し、学習院大学文学部の日本語日本文学科に進学されました。
高等科の卒業式では、「たくさんの経験ができ、また、とても楽しく、とても充実した学校生活を送ることができたと思います」と笑顔でこたえられました。
At the university, online classes continued, but when I first went to school last October, I said, "At the university, I want to work on various things while valuing the joy that I feel when I gain new knowledge. I'm thinking. "
Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress
Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress have been energetically working on preparations, such as having meetings with the Imperial Household Agency staff during busy days, valuing the events that accompany Aiko's adulthood while there are various events. is.
According to their aides, Their Majesties seemed to be deeply moved by taking pictures with Aiko and remembering the days of their growth so far.
On the other hand, it seems that Aiko, who is preparing, is being watched over with the desire to safely celebrate her adult birthday.