Today, Mako finally arrives in the United States… 30 years of living as a member of the Imperial Family

2021-11-19

Studying in the U.K., an informal engagement conference, and her last official duties

Four years have passed since the unofficial announcement of their engagement. After many twists and turns, Mako, 30, and her husband Kei Komuro, 30, have begun a “new life. With their marriage, they left the Imperial Family. From today, she will start her new married life as a “normal woman” in New York. Let’s take a look back at the 30 years of Mako’s life as a member of the Imperial Family with her treasured photos.

Studied at the University of Edinburgh in the U.K. in 2012

In 2012, Mako departed for an exchange program at the University of Edinburgh in the U.K., where she majored in art history for eight months.

Mako and Mr. Komuro first met in 2012. Their first encounter was in 2012, when they sat near each other at an information session for exchange students. In August of the same year, just before she left to study at the University of Edinburgh in the UK, they began dating. In ’13, Komuro proposed to Mako, and in ’17, they held an informal press conference to announce their engagement.

“Mako was very concerned about how she was perceived by the public. There were times when she was hurt by the public’s opposition to her marriage. Seeing Mako’s strong determination after overcoming four years of separation, Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko approved the marriage.

What kind of life will Mako lead in her new home of New York?

What kind of life will Mako have in her new home of New York? “There is no royal family or royal family in the U.S., and there is a strong yearning for the royal family. I’m sure she will be welcomed. Mako’s master’s degree in museum studies is at an internationally recognized level, so I think she will be able to work as a curator. She may also be in demand for lectures. As a former female member of the Imperial Family, I believe that Princess Mako will create a new way of life in the future.