Princess Mako of Japan has made up her mind to tie the knot with Kei Komuro, a commoner, and aspiring lawyer, on October 26 despite being criticized by the public and local media.
In the wake of local media coverage surrounding her decision, Princess Mako, on Friday, has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. The palace reports. According to NBC News, the 29-year-old Princess is set to marry aspiring lawyer Kei Komuro on October 26.
Many people did not celebrate mako’s decision to marry Komuro because her man is a commoner and not of royal blood. As a result, no special events will take place on their wedding day. The Imperial Household Agency reports. Mako has faced intense scrutiny from Japanese people over her decision to marry 29-year-old Komuro. Mako’s dad, Crown Prince Akishino, does not think Japanese people would embrace the marriage. WSJ reports.
An expert on the imperial family, Isao Tokoro, says the marriage would be seen as “as practically equivalent to eloping.” Tokoro also describes the union as “a kind of declaration of severing ties.”
Mako and her high school sweetheart Komuro formerly announced their plans to wed in September 2017. However, the event was postponed due to a dispute over finances. According to WSJ, the argument was about a sum of money given to Komuro’s mother by his former fiancé. The family wanted to know whether the money was a gift or a loan. Komuro reportedly used the money to fund his education in Japan.
This year, Komuro graduated from Fordham Law in New York and is working for law firm Lowenstein Sandler LLP currently. He has also completed the state bar exam for New York and is presently awaiting his results.
Mako will lose her royal status, as required by Imperial Household Law, if she goes ahead and marries Komuro. Moreover, Mako is expected to decline a gift worth $1.35 million meant to support her non-royal life. The princess will nevertheless earn rights afforded to regular Japanese citizens. After the wedding, she and Komuro plan to relocate to New York, per NBC News.
“She has chosen a harsh path of thorns,” Tokoro said.
Mako is the first child and elder daughter of Prince Fumihito and Princess Kiko.
