Seven-day-old Princess Aiko made her first public appearance on Saturday, cradled in the arms of her proud mum Princess Masako as the two left the Imperial Household hospital. Thousands of well-wishers greeted the latest addition to Japan’s royal family while the little princess slept peacefully throughout her debut.
Dressed in a white suit and accompanied by her husband Crown Prince Naruhito, a smiling Princess Masako bowed to reporters gathered outside the hospital before setting off for the couple’s residence, Togu Palace in central Tokyo. As they made their way home in a motorcade, the new parents, with Aiko placed in a specially designed seat between them, smiled and waved to 4,000 well-wishers who lined the two kilometre route.
Masako, who celebrated her 38th birthday on Sunday, spent the remainder of the weekend with her family at her Tokyo residence, cancelling her annual birthday press conference. Princess Aiko, which means “love child”, was born December 1, spurring debate about changing Japan’s male-only succession law. No males have been born into the imperial line for 37 years, and with the birth of yet another daughter, the imperial family still lacks a successor.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Accompanied by her husband Crown Prince Naruhito, Princess Masako smiles at reporters with baby Aiko cradled in her arms
Photo: © Alphapress.com
The seven-day-old princess slept peacefully throughout her first public appearance
