Princess Mako, niece of the Emperor of Japan, got married on Tuesday with her commoner fiancé Kei Komuro.
The union finally took place after years of controversy.
The princess thus renounces an important financial compensation.
In the morning, Japanese television showed Mako leaving the Akasaka imperial residence in Tokyo and bidding farewell to his family, bowing to his parents and hugging his sister.
“Kei is irreplaceable,” Mako said, live on television.
“I love Mako”, for his part proclaimed her husband.
“I would like to be next to the love of my life from now on.
"
On marrying her former classmate Komuro Kei on Tuesday, Princess Mako officially left the Imperial Household and became a commoner.
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A long scandal
The union of the niece of Emperor Naruhito and Kei Komuro did not start in the best conditions.
Mako has endured years of criticism over his marriage plan.
Kei Komuro was under attack over allegations that his mother borrowed money from a former fiance and failed to repay him.
This quarrel caused a scandal in Japan, where irreproachable behavior is expected of the imperial family.
The marriage was postponed and Kei Komuro moved to the United States in 2018 to continue his law studies.
He only returned to Japan last month.
“There are different opinions about my marriage to Kei,” Mako admitted.
I would like to thank those who cared for me and those who have always supported us, Kei and me, without listening to the unfounded rumors.
"
The Japanese Harrys and Meghans?
Despite the negative media tone and some demonstrations, 53% of the Japanese population supports this union, according to a poll published this Tuesday by the daily
Yomiuri
.
The couple are expected to move to New York soon, which inevitably draws comparisons with the British royal couple formed by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
It is not known if Mako will be working there.
The princess studied art and cultural heritage at International Christian University in Tokyo, where she met Kei Komuro, and spent a year at the University of Edinburgh (UK).
She also holds an MA in Museum Studies from the UK University of Leicester.
Royal traditions hard to change
The imperial family had clarified in September that the wedding ceremony, banquet and other rituals would not take place.
The princess also refused the lump sum payment granted to women of the imperial household who marry commoners, which can reach 153 million yen (1.2 million euros).
Mako, in fact, lost his royal title after registering his marriage.
In Japan, the throne can only be handed down to men of the royal family.
Children of royal women who marry commoners are not included.
The modification of these rules was the subject of a debate.
In July, a group of government experts compiled notes on the matter, but any changes to the system are likely to be long in coming.
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