After much controversy and a three-year delay, Princess Mako of Japan—the first child of the current emperor's younger brother, Prince Akishino, and his wife, Princess Kiko—married her university sweetheart, Kei Komuro, last month on October 26. Out of the norm for Japanese culture, especially that of royalty, there was no ceremony and no reception banquet.  

The couple was first engaged in 2017, but the wedding was delayed following a financial dispute involving her new mother-in-law, leading the public to question whether Kei’s suitability for the former princess. The backlash soared, with protests, excessive press commentary and persistent attacks on social media, which has had an impact on Mako’s mental health. In a televised press conference, the former Princess said that the public negativity has led to her post-traumatic stress disorder. She also adhered that the reports around Komuro were false and have caused her “great fear, stress and sadness.” 

In addition, due to the criticism surrounding the marriage, Mako chose to respectfully decline the 140 million yen payout she was entitled for marrying a commoner and leaving the imperial family. This was another major break away from tradition. Indeed Mako is the first woman since World War II to not receive the payment. 

“For me, Kei-san is a priceless person. For us, our marriage was a necessary choice to live while cherishing our hearts,” said Mako. Komuro responded, “I love Mako. I want to spend the only life I have with the one I love.” He said he hopes to be with Mako to share feelings and encourage each other in happy times and difficult times. “I hope to have a warm family with Mako-san, and I will continue to do everything to support her,” he added.

After the wedding, Mako bowed farewell to her parents and hugged her sister Kako goodbye. The couple have since moved to the US for a fresh start, where Komuro is intending to work as a lawyer at a New York law firm, though he has so far not passed the New York bar exam. Many have compared the break they made from their royal ties with British royals Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, earning them the nickname “Japan’s Harry and Meghan.”

According to some critics, Mako’s marriage accentuates the difficulties faced by women in the Japanese Imperial Household. Mako’s loss of royal status comes from the Imperial House Law, which allows only male succession. Male royals have household names while female imperial family members have only titles and must leave if they marry commoners. This male-only succession practice leaves only Akishino and his son, Prince Hisahito, in line to succeed Emperor Naruhito. A panel of government-appointed experts is currently discussing a more stable succession system, but conservatives still seem to strongly reject the notion of women heading the imperial family.

Related: ICYMI: Dutch Royals Can Marry Person of the Same Sex and Still Keep the Throne