Former Princess Mako and Kei Komuro.Photo: PHILIP FONG/AFP via Getty Images
Japan’s formerPrincess Makois starting a new life in America.
Just weeks after the niece of Emperor Naruhito gave up her royal title to marry commoner Kei Komuro, the couple relocated to New York City. They were spotted arriving at Tokyo’s Haneda International Airport on Sunday, arriving at John F. Kennedy International Airport following the 12-hour flight.
Because the law in Japan requires a princess to “leave the imperial family upon marriage to a commoner,” Princess Makogave up her royal titlesto marry Komuro. She alsoturned down a $1.3 million payoutfrom the Japanese government that is traditionally paid to royal women who lose their royal status when they marry.
STR/JIJI PRESS/AFP via Getty Images
Princess Mako and Komuro, both 30, met while attending a study-abroad event at a restaurant in Shibuya, a district in Tokyo. They were both students at the International Christian University in Tokyo at the time.
Komuro proposed over dinner in December 2013, and their long-distance relationship quietly continued whileMako studied for her master’s degree overseas, graduating in Art Museum and Gallery Studies in January 2016 from England’s Leicester University.
The couple first announced their plans to wed in September 2017, but the event was ultimately pushed off following a dispute over money between Komuro’s mother and her former fiancé concerning his having financed Komuro’s education.
Former Princess Mako and Kei Komuro.STR/JAPAN POOL / JIJI PRESS/AFP via Getty Images
Can’t get enough ofPEOPLE’s Royals coverage?Sign up for our free Royals newsletterto get the latest updates onKate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!
At a press event in the afternoon, the couple appeared in front of journalists. Princess Mako wore a pastel blue dress with a matching jacket and a pearl necklace, while Komuro wore a striped suit.
Princess Mako and Kei Komuro.STR/JIJI PRESS/AFP via Getty
“I am very sorry for the inconvenience caused and I am grateful for those … who have continued to support me,” she said, according to theBBC. “For me, Kei is irreplaceable — marriage was a necessary choice for us.”
The palace announced ahead of the nuptials that Mako wasdiagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorderin the wake of negative media coverage.
“I love Mako. We only get one life, and I want us to spend it with the one we love,” said Komuro. “I feel very sad that Mako has been in a bad condition, mentally and physically, because of the false accusations.”
source: people.com
