Japan’s Princess Mako marries commoner, loses royal status

By MARI YAMAGUCHI Associated Press

TOKYO (AP) — Japanese Princess Mako says she’ll “walk together” in a new life with her husband after they married without celebrations Tuesday in a union that has split public opinion.

Mako lost her royal status upon marrying commoner Kei Komuro and the couple will live in New York, where he attended law school.

Their wedding was delayed three years by a financial dispute involving her mother-in-law.

The palace noted many people were not celebrating the marriage and said Mako developed a stress disorder due to negative attention.

She declined a dowry to which she was entitled upon leaving the imperial family.

Mako told a news conference the couple’s “marriage was a necessary choice to live while cherishing our hearts.”