Japan’s former princess Mako Komuro arrived in the United States on Sunday with her husband, swapping ancient imperial rites for the bright lights of New York after leaving the royal family.
Footage broadcast in Japan showed the couple arriving in New York and walking through the airport with security guards, before getting into a waiting vehicle. The pair were heavily guarded by police and airport security as they strolled through the departure terminal. They passed about 100 journalists who were there to witness them leave but did not respond to questions.
Mako, the niece of Emperor Naruhito, lost her royal title when she married a commoner under postwar succession laws that only allow male members of the imperial family to ascend to the throne. The pair tied the knot in Tokyo last month in muted fashion, following years of tabloid gossip and online sniping over their union.
Their move to New York had long been rumoured and Mako, who took her husband's name when they got married, is reportedly expected to find a job in the city.
The move to the US has drawn comparisons with British royals, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, earning the newlyweds the nickname "Japan's Harry and Meghan".
Footage broadcast in Japan showed the couple arriving in New York and walking through the airport with security guards, before getting into a waiting vehicle. The pair were heavily guarded by police and airport security as they strolled through the departure terminal. They passed about 100 journalists who were there to witness them leave but did not respond to questions.
Mako, the niece of Emperor Naruhito, lost her royal title when she married a commoner under postwar succession laws that only allow male members of the imperial family to ascend to the throne. The pair tied the knot in Tokyo last month in muted fashion, following years of tabloid gossip and online sniping over their union.
Their move to New York had long been rumoured and Mako, who took her husband's name when they got married, is reportedly expected to find a job in the city.
The move to the US has drawn comparisons with British royals, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, earning the newlyweds the nickname "Japan's Harry and Meghan".
