Her daddy was back home after an overseas trip, and little Princess Aiko's excitement over his return was clear for all to see. As Crown Prince Naruhito pulled up in a limo, his four-year-old daughter couldn't even wait for him to get out of the car before calling out enthusiastically to greet him.
And when the prince, who was returning from Mexico where he has been attending the World Water Forum, stepped forward to gently stroke the youngster's hair, Aiko's face, as she clung on tightly to her mum's hand, was wreathed in smiles.
Although as a former diplomat Crown Princess Masako has done her fair share of travelling in the past, a stress related illness has prevented her from joining her husband on official duties in both Japan and abroad in recent times.
With his wife apparently on the road to recovery, however, the prince, speaking before his departure for Mexico, expressed a hope that his spouse would soon be able to join him on trips abroad, saying: "I truly hope there will be an opportunity to visit a foreign country with Masako as soon as possible."
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
