The 28-year-old princess Ayako who is the youngest child of princess Hisako and the late prince Takamodo, cousin of Emperor Akihito married the love of her life
Moriya, an employee of shipping company Nippon Yusen yesterday at the Tokyo’s Meji Shrine.
According to Japan’s imperial law, female members of the royal family forfeit their titles, status and allowance if they choose to marry someone who does not have royal or aristocratic family ties. The same rule does not apply to male members of the royal family.
Princess Ayako will renounce her royal status and take a lump sum of $950,000 from the Japanese government for living expenses.
The wedding ceremony took place at the Meji Shrine which was dedicated to the deified souls of Ayako’s great-great grandfather Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shoken.
“I am very happy that we held the wedding at this Meiji Shrine where my great grandfather Meiji Emperor is worshiped,” Ayako said.