A Princess Just Gave Up Royalty to Marry a Commoner
September 4, 2019 | News | No Comments
If you’ve ever gazed longingly at the British royals and wondered what life must be like as a prince or princess, know that it might not be all it’s cracked up to be — because some are pretty willing to give it up. Japan’s Princess Ayako, the youngest daughter of Emperor Akihito’s cousin, demonstrated this firsthand when she walked away from her regal title entirely on Monday. What prompted her exit? Marriage, of all things.
The princess chose to marry a man she loves, Kei Moriya, despite the fact that he is a commoner — which means, according to Japanese imperial law, Ayako is required to forfeit her title and status. Fairly extreme, if you ask us.
Pool for Yomiuri/AP
It’s a rule that many are calling unfair, particularly since it bewilderingly does not apply to men in the family who wish to marry female commoners.
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Once Ayako and Moriya make it official, she will be forced to renounce her princess status, and according to CNN, take a lump sum of $950,000 from the Japanese government to cover her living expenses.
Pool for Yomiuri/AP
“I am awed by how blessed I am,” Ayako said, according to the outlet. “I will leave the imperial family today, but I will remain unchanged in my support for his majesty and her majesty.”
Not going to lie, a million dollars and a literal fairytale wedding sounds like a nice trade off for something as fickle as status. Even if it is a questionable rule.
