Royals

The romantic story of how Japan’s Princess Ayako gave up her royal title to marry for love

Love conquers all...
apan's Princess Ayako of Takamado Kei Moriya wedding marriage

Move over Kate and William, Eugenie and Jack and Meghan and Harry, because this princess’ story puts them all to shame. Japan’s Princess Ayako of Takamado got married to commoner Kei Moriya on Monday in front of a crowd of 1000 in Tokyo, wearing a beautiful kimono embroidered with flowers and green leaves.

And by doing so she forfeited her royal title, status and allowance.

According to Japan’s imperial law, women of the royal family who marry partners without royal status or an aristocratic family, automatically lose their title and everything that comes with it. This isn’t the case for male members of the royal family.

Princess Ayako, 28, will receive a lump sum of NZD $1.5 million from the Japanese government for living expenses, according to a report by CNN.

Princess Ayako and Kei Moriya arriving for their wedding ceremony at the Meiji Shrine in Tokyo.

“I am awed by how blessed I am,” said Ayako after her wedding. “I will leave the imperial family today, but I will remain unchanged in my support for his majesty and her majesty.”

“I am very happy that we held the wedding at this Meiji Shrine where my great grandfather Meiji Emperor is worshiped,” she continued. “I feel so happy.”

Her new husband Kei Moriya, 32, who works for a shipping company, told reporters; “I would like to support her firmly and, hand in hand, build a happy family with lots of laughter.”

Princess Ayako is the daughter of Princess Hisako and the late Prince Takamodo, a cousin of the current Emperor of Japan, Emperor Akihito.

She is now known as Ayako Moriya, having taken her husband’s name. Ayako isn’t the first member of the family to give up her royal title for love; her sister Noriko Senge is also a former princess, having married non-royal Kunimaro Senge in October 2014.

Via Grazia.

Read more about the complicated lives of the Japanese royal family

When a career-driven commoner married Japan’s Crown Prince in 1993, she was hailed as the country’s Princess Diana. But little has been seen of Princess Masako since, and with succession in sight, there is real concern about her wellbeing.

For the painful and sad life of Japan’s Princess Masako, click here.

Related stories