Japan’s royal family becomes smaller after Princess Ayako gives up her royal status after the marriage with a commoner, Telegraph reported.
Japan’s royal code reads that women who marry into the imperial family become members of the family, but those who marry commoners must leave. So Ayako did on Monday.
The youngest daughter of a late cousin of Emperor Akihito, married Kei Moriya, a 32-year-old employee of the shipping company. Being made such a decision, the 28-year-old royal has lost her title and stopped to be a part of the Emperor’s family.
The Japanese national TV channels have aired the marriage ceremony, which took place in one of the pagoda-like buildings in the shrine complex and included an exchange of rings and a sharing of a cup of sake. Both rituals are relatively routine for Shinto-style weddings, including those of regular Japanese.
The former Princess old journalist after the ceremony that she is ‘filled with happiness’.
The Japanese Emperor dynasty is on the eve of changes
Last week, Princess Ayako bid farewell to Emperor Akihito. According to ex-royal, she hoped to continue to help the emperor and empress as a former member of the imperial family. Akihito has said he will abdicate next year. His eldest son, Crown Prince Naruhito, will ascend to the Chrysanthemum Throne on May 1.
According to the recent news, the eldest granddaughter of the emperor is set to marry a commoner in 2020. The Emperor family are getting smaller and smaller, say the experts.
