A Japanese princess must leave the royal because she plans to marry her former classmate who is a commoner.
Princess Mako will marry Kei Komuro, 25, a former university classmate from the International Christian University, the Imperial Household announced Sunday. The marriage means the princess must give up her royal title, Reuters reported.
“First I was attracted by his bright smile,” Mako said at a press conference Sunday, according to The Telegraph. Komuro proposed in 2013 and is well liked by the royal family.
Emperor Akihito, 83, is planning on retiring from the royal throne in 2018. His eldest son, Crown Prince Naruhito, will succeed him. Naruhito has a younger brother, Prince Akihito. However, the rest of royal heirs are women.
Mako leaving the royal family could raise issues down the road in terms due to the dwindling number of heirs.
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