AFP
Former Japanese princess Mako Komuro, 30, traveled this Sunday (14) to the United States with her husband, in an exchange of ancient imperial rituals for the lights of New York.
Mako and Kei Komuro, 30, were married in October in Tokyo after years of critical press reports over the relationship, which the former princess said provoked “sadness and pain.”
The couple will live in New York, the city where Kei Komuro studied law and currently works. With the protection of police and security guards, the two passed by nearly a hundred journalists and did not answer questions.
Mako, niece of Emperor Naruhito, lost her royal title when she married a commoner due to the law of succession, which only allows men to be on the Japanese throne.
After announcing their engagement in 2017, the couple faced a series of media reports about Kei’s family’s alleged financial difficulties. Japanese royalty has many demands and the Imperial House Agency has reported that Mako has had post-traumatic stress disorder from media attention.
“I was scared, feeling sad and hurting when the rumors turned into baseless stories,” Mako said at a news conference after the wedding.
Kei said he was “very sad that Mako faced mental and physical difficulties”.
“I love Mako. We only have one life and I want to spend it with the person I love,” he said.
The controversy over the couple and the move to the United States has generated comparisons with another royal couple, British Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
The Japanese press reported that the Komuros, who met at the University of Tokyo, already have a house to live in New York. The Japanese emperor has no political power, but he is a symbolically important figure.
With few men in royalty, a fledgling debate has started in Japan over rule changes, with some polls showing strong popular support for allowing women to assume the post of head of state. But any change would be slow in the face of strong opposition from traditionalists.
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