Japanese Princess Ayako gives up her royal title to marry commoner
JAPANESE PRINCESS Ayako of Takamado married commoner Kei Moriya in Tokyo on Monday.
Japanese Princess Ayako of Takamado gave up her royal title to marry businessman Kei Moriya at Tokyo’s at Meiji Jingu Shrine on October 29.
The 28-year-old princess is the youngest daughter of Norihito, Prince Takamado, who died in 2002, and Hisako, Princess Takamado.
Her father was a first cousin of Emperor Akihito, who is the current Emperor of Japan, making her a member of the Imperial House of Japan.
The Imperial Household Agency announced the couple were to be married earlier in the year and they became formally engaged on August 12 during a traditional ceremony.
Today Princess Ayako was pictured leaving her residence with her mother Princess Hisako of Takamado, 65, in a stunning bridal kimono.
The bride, who wore her hair moulded into a heart-shape, wore a pale yellow kimono with red and green details with a purple ohakama - a traditional pair of Japanese clothing.
On arrival at the Meiji Jingu Shrine the Japanese royal accompanied her husband-to-be and the pair walked to the hall together.
Kei Moriya, 32, was dressed in a black suit jacket with grey striped trousers and carried a top hat and gloves in his hands.
The newlywed couple emerged from their shinto wedding ceremony and spoke to the waiting media.
The bride changed her kimono for a traditional red kouchiki with wide sleeves.
The Princess, who graduated from Josai International University in 2015, renounced her royal status following the wedding as Japan’s succession law royal requires.