In fairy tales, princesses always appear as beautiful, kind, and happy, and eventually tie the knot with the handsome prince and live happily ever after. However, real-life princesses may not be able to enjoy such a fairy tale ending. In recent years, the Japanese imperial family has staged two dramas of "princesses marrying commoners" one after another, although the plots are different, but the endings seem to be difficult to call perfect.
Let's start with the story of Princess Kiyoko. Princess Kiyoko is the only daughter of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, and the sister of the current Emperor Naruhito. She was brilliant and talented from an early age, not only proficient in many Chinese, but also an excellent zoologist, who participated in the compilation of the "Encyclopedia of Japanese Animals". In addition, Princess Kiyoko has also visited 14 countries alone and participated in various diplomatic activities on behalf of the Japanese imperial family, which can be described as the "perfect princess" of the imperial family.
However, such a talented and beautiful princess has been repeatedly frustrated in marriage matters. Princess Kiyoko, who is in her early 30s, has been unable to find her husband for a long time, which makes Emperor Akihito and his wife quite anxious. Fortunately, Crown Prince Naruhito (now the emperor)'s classmate Kuroda Yoshiki appeared in time, and the two fell in love at first sight and quickly established a relationship.
Although Keiki Kuroda was born in a commoner, he was also a good marriage partner. He graduated from a prestigious school and worked in the civil service with an annual salary of 7 million yen, and his family was well-off. In 2005, 36-year-old Princess Kiyoko finally tied the knot with Yoshiki Kuroda and entered the marriage hall.
Although the wedding was low-key, Empress Michiko prepared a rich dowry for her daughter, including a royal allowance of 150 million yen and a specially customized crown. However, the noble status and lavish dowry did not bring Princess Kiyoko a happy married life.
As the wife of a commoner, Kiyoko had to be busy with housework, serving her mother-in-law, and living a life no different from that of an ordinary housewife. What is even more regrettable is that this marriage has not yet been able to produce children. It is rumored that Princess Kiyoko and her husband have been estranged because they have no children, and they have even been separated for many years.
What happened to Princess Kiyoko is embarrassing, but it is not uncommon among the royal family. In recent years, Princess Mako, the eldest daughter of the Akishinomiya family, has also experienced a bumpy love journey.
In 2017, Princess Mako announced her engagement to Kei Komuro, a college classmate and a commoner, which aroused widespread concern and questions in Japanese society. Kei Komuro's family is ordinary, and his mother has been involved in debt disputes, which has made many Japanese people oppose this marriage.
Despite the obstacles, Princess Mako's love for Kei Komuro has always been unswerving. In 2021, the two finally got married in a simple ceremony, and Princess Mako also lost her royal status and became a commoner "Mako Komuro".
Unlike Princess Kiyoko's grand wedding, Princess Mako's wedding is simple and low-key, with no royal dowry and no grand ceremony. After getting married, she moved to the United States with her husband and began an ordinary life.
What happened to Princess Mako once again sparked thinking about royal marriages. In Japan, it is still a controversial matter for members of the imperial family to marry commoners. The public has high expectations for the marriages of members of the royal family, hoping that they will be able to uphold the dignity and traditions of the royal family.
In contrast, members of the British royal family seem to have more freedom and choice. Princess Anne remarried after her divorce, and Princess Meghan's civilian status did not prevent her from becoming Prince Harry's wife. On the other hand, divorce and remarriage are still taboo in the Japanese imperial family, and members of the imperial family are often criticized for marrying commoners.
The story of Princess Kiyoko and Princess Mako is, to a certain extent, a reflection of the conflict between traditional and modern values in Japanese society. In Japan, although the status and rights of women have improved, traditional gender roles and family values are still deeply rooted, and the members of the imperial family, as symbols of traditional culture, are unable to break free from their shackles.
However, Qingzi's current situation is not optimistic, and it is inevitably reminiscent of Princess Aiko, with the same identity, will it be the same in the future? After all, if Aiko does not marry a member of the royal family, the final fate will also be reduced to a commoner, and then there will also be a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationship, and there will be conflicts between husband and wife, right?