Japan princess ayako marries commoner at shrine ceremony

A lovely news story!

Princess Ayako of Japan, a member of the Imperial Family, has married a commoner, Kei Moriya, in a traditional Shinto ceremony at the Meiji Shrine in Tokyo. The ceremony took place on October 29, 2018.

Princess Ayako, 28, is the younger sister of Princess Kako, who is also a member of the Imperial Family. She is the daughter of Prince and Princess Akishino, who are the uncle and aunt of Emperor Naruhito.

Kei Moriya, 32, is a commoner who works in the finance industry. He is a graduate of the University of Tokyo and has worked for several years in the financial sector.

The couple met through mutual friends and began dating in 2015. They announced their engagement in September 2018.

The Shinto ceremony, which was attended by around 50 guests, including members of the Imperial Family and other dignitaries, was a traditional and intimate affair. The couple exchanged vows and rings, and Princess Ayako changed into a traditional kimono for the ceremony.

After the ceremony, the couple received a blessing from the shrine's chief priest, and they then held a reception at the Imperial Palace.

Princess Ayako's marriage marks the first time a member of the Imperial Family has married a commoner since 1971, when Princess Hitomi married a commoner. The marriage is seen as a significant step towards modernizing the Imperial Family and increasing its connection with the general public.

Congratulations to the happy couple!