Coming-of-age events held for Princess Aiko

Dec 05, 2021 | News On Japan

Dec 05, 2021 (NHK) - Princess Aiko, the daughter of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, attended coming-of-age celebratory events on Sunday.

The princess, who turned 20 on Wednesday, visited Imperial Sanctuaries dedicated to her ancestors in the morning, and received the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Precious Crown from the Emperor.

After reporting her attainment of adulthood to her parents shortly after noon, she then appeared in front of reporters waiting at the west carriage porch of the palace.

The princess, wearing a robe and a tiara, bowed to reporters and thanked them as they congratulated her for coming of age.

She then visited Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko at their temporary residence in Tokyo's Minato Ward.

She opened her car window, smiled and waved to the people who had gathered in front of the residence.

The princess met her grandparents for the first time in about one year and nine months due to the pandemic.

She returned to the palace and received congratulatory greetings from Crown Prince Akishino and other members of the Imperial family, as well as Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, the heads of both chambers of the Diet and the chief justice of the Supreme Court.

The Imperial Household Agency said she also received greetings from the Emperor's sister Kuroda Sayako, who lent her the tiara.

The princess decided to forego a new tiara in consideration of people affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

She will attend the Imperial family's New Year events and engage in official duties.

She plans to hold a news conference in March next year, when her university schedule will allow her more time to prepare.

Source: ANNnewsCH

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