Strolling among the roses in a central Tokyo park, Sayako and Yoshiki Kuroda look like any Japanese newlyweds enjoying the early days of their marriage. But for the former princess life could not be further removed from the cloistered world she knew up until her wedding a week ago.
Home is now a one-bedroom rented apartment, and in line with Japanese law that strips royal females of their status once they marry, Sayako is now an ordinary Tokyo housewife. To judge from her smiling demeanour the transition appears to have gone smoothly.
Her wedding was a seismic shift not only in her own life but in the history of the country - it is the first time an emperor's daughter has married a commoner. Her new life as Mrs Kuroda brings with it unaccustomed rights and duties, including voting and paying taxes.
Sayako prepared to leave behind a life surrounded by servants by taking driving lessons, learning to shop and buying furniture from a catalogue.
The loss of her privileges and comforts will be cushioned by a £747,152 dowry, which will go on a more comfortable three-bedroom apartment for the couple. According to the country's media the 36-year-old was shocked to learn she'd have to clean the rented furniture at her current abode before moving to their new accomodation.
Nevertheless at her wedding Shintaro Ishihara, the governor of Tokyo - her husband's employer - hinted the change could be the best thing that happened to her, saying: "Part of her must feel carefree and relieved now that she has become a commoner."
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
