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Former Japanese Princess Mako and her commoner husband, Kei Komuro, are set to start their new life in the Big Apple.
The couple, who married in October, arrived at John F Kennedy Airport in New York to throngs of paparazzi and spectators but the rest of their stay in the city that never sleeps is likely to be lowkey.
Mako and Komuro (both 30) are reportedly renting a one-bedroom apartment, which is said to be available for at least $4 800 (R73 086) a month.
The building, which is described on its website as the ultimate in luxury living, overlooks the Hudson River and is a stone’s throw from Central Park.
The building also has a rooftop lounge, fitness centre, spa, library and a golf simulator.
Mako, the daughter of Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko and niece of reigning Emperor Naruhito, relinquished her royal status and turned down 140 million yen (R18,7 million) to leave the imperial family and follow her heart.
She and Komuro got engaged in 2017 after meeting at Tokyo’s International Christian University, where they were both students, and planned to tie the knot in November 2018 but postponed the wedding because they said it felt rushed.
“It is because of our immaturity and we [would] just regret it,” the couple explained in a statement. “We wish to think about marriage more deeply and concretely and give sufficient time to prepare our marriage and for after the marriage.”
At the time Komuro’s mother, Kayo, was also at the centre of a financial scandal when it was revealed that she hadn’t repaid a 4 million yen (R535 000) loan from a former fiancé. Kayo reportedly used part of the money to pay her son’s tuition.
Polls show that up to 80% of Japanese people opposed the marriage. But neither Mako nor Komuro are bothered by the naysayers.
After years of criticism over her decision to marry a commoner, Mako married her long-time boyfriend in a register office in Tokyo.
“For me, Kei-san is a priceless person,” Mako said at a press conference held shortly after the ceremony.
“For us, our marriage was a necessary choice to live while cherishing our hearts.”
According to reports Mako, who also holds a master’s degree in Museum Studies from Britain's University of Leicester, will find a job in New York.
Komuro currently works in the Lowenstein Sandler law firm’s Manhattan offices and after failing the bar exam is set to retake it in February next year.
“I love Mako,” he says.
“I live only once and I want to spend it with someone I love. I hope to have a warm family with Mako-san and I will continue to do everything to support her.”
Sources: hellomagazine.com, dailymail.co.uk, nypost.com, bbc.com, france24.com
