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Japan's princess Mako celebrates 30th birthday ahead of marriage

Reuters
Tokyo
Japan's princess Mako, the eldest daughter of crown prince Akishino and crown princess Kiko, strolls at the garden of their Akasaka imperial property residence in Tokyo, Japan 6 October 2021, ahead of her 30th birthday on 23 October 2021 and her marriage on 26 October 2021, in this handout photo provided by the Imperial Household Agency of Japan. Picture was taken 6 October 2021.
Reuters

Japan's princess Mako celebrated her 30th birthday on Saturday, marking the last birthday she would have as a member of the imperial family before she marries her boyfriend next week.

Japan's princess Mako (L), the daughter of crown prince Akishino and crown princess Kiko, strolls with her younger sister princess Kako at the garden of their Akasaka imperial property residence in Tokyo, Japan on 6 October 2021, ahead of her 30th birthday on 23 October 2021 and her marriage on 26 October 2021, in this handout photo provided by the Imperial Household Agency of Japan. Picture taken on 6 October 2021.
Reuters

Her marriage to commoner Kei Komuro on Tuesday will mean she becomes a commoner in keeping with laws saying female members of the imperial family cannot keep their royal status after marriage.

Kei Komuro, the boyfriend of Japanese princess Mako, arrives at Narita airport after a flight from New York, in Narita, east of Tokyo, Japan on 27 September 2021, in this photo taken by Kyodo.
Reuters

Photos of Mako taking a walk on the imperial grounds with her younger sister were released by the Imperial Household Agency, but no comment was given by the princess to mark her birthday.

Japan's princess Mako, the eldest daughter of crown prince Akishino and crown princess Kiko, smiles as she strolls at the garden of their Akasaka imperial property residence in Tokyo, Japan on 6 October 2021, ahead of her 30th birthday on 23 October 2021 and her marriage on 26 October 2021, in this handout photo provided by the Imperial Household Agency of Japan. Picture was taken 6 October 2021.
Reuters

The three-year engagement between princess Mako and Komuro was marked with scandal and controversy, which started when a tabloid reported that Komuro was embroiled in a money scandal.

Japan's princess Mako, the daughter of crown prince Akishino and crown princess Kiko, strolls with her younger sister princess Kako at the garden of their Akasaka imperial property residence in Tokyo, Japan on 6 October 2021, ahead of her 30th birthday on 23 October 2021 and her marriage on 26 October 2021, in this handout photo provided by the Imperial Household Agency of Japan. Picture was taken 6 October 2021.
Reuters

The Imperial Household Agency said in a news conference held in early October that princess Mako had developed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from the intense media scrutiny her engagement came under.

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