Unlike your favorite Disney fairy tales, Candy Girls, Japan's Princess Mako of Akishino has to give up her crown to marry the love of her life.
Yup, we're not joking.
Princess Mako is engaged to a commoner, law firm employee Kei Komuro. And in accordance with the Japanese Imperial Household law that dates back to 1947, a female Japanese royal who marries a commoner loses her crown. However, male royals who also marry commoners don't lose theirs. Whuuut. (via TheGuardian.com)
This rule has been surrounded by controversy since Princess Mako's announcement because where's equality there, right? Besides, the 25-year-old has been working to help the emperor and fulfill duties as part of the royal family. The princess has always known this will happen, though, because Japan's royal family has been getting smaller each year. At present, they only have one heir, Prince Hisahito, Princess Mako's youngest brother.
Even if she has no choice but to follow tradition, she is optimistic about her life as a commoner and part of the general public. You go, Princess Mako! ♥
Their love story
Princess Mako and Kei first met in 2012, when they were still freshmen at the International Christian University in Tokyo, Japan. They got engaged in 2013, but only announced the wonderful news this year. The two are set to tie the knot in late 2018.
"I was first attracted to his bright smiles that seemed like the sun." —Princess Mako on falling for Kei Komuro
What do you think of this Japanese royal law, Candy Girls? Talk to us in the comments or via Twitter @candymagdotcom. We always love hearing from you. :)
