Japanese Imperial Family New Year Greeting at the Imperial Palace on January 02, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan.

Japan's Crown Princess Masako waves during Emperor Akihito's birthday public appearance with other members of the Imperial family at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on December 23, 2018.

Crown Princess Masako waves to media reporters on arrival at the Imperial Palace on Emperor Akihito's 85th birthday on December 23, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan.

Japanese Crown Prince Naruhito (L), Crown Princess Masako (R) and their daughter Princess Aiko arrive at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo to attend a dinner to celebrate Emperor Akihito's 85th birthday on Dec. 23, 2018.

Crown Prince Naruhito and his wife Crown Princess Masako attend a New Year's ceremony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Jan. 1, 2019.

Japan's Crown Prince Naruhito (2nd R) and Crown Princess Masako (R) bowing to Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko during a ceremony to celebrate the new year at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.

Japan's Crown Princess Masako waves to well-wishers from the balcony of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on January 2, 2019 during the New Year's greetings.

Japanese Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako arrive at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo to offer New Year's greetings to well-wishers on Jan. 2, 2019.

Japanese Emperor Akihito (2nd from L) and his successor, Crown Prince Naruhito (L), are pictured, alongside Empress Michiko (R) and Crown Princess Masako during the emperor's New Year's greeting ceremony in Tokyo on Jan. 2, 2019. The emperor is scheduled to abdicate on April 30.

Japanese Crown Prince Naruhito (L), Crown Princess Masako (R) and their daughter Aiko arrive at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Jan. 2, 2019.

Japanese Emperor Akihito (Center L), Empress Michiko (Center R), Crown Prince Naruhito (2nd from L), Crown Princess Masako (L), Prince Fumihito (2nd from R) and Princess Kiko attend the emperor's New Year's greeting ceremony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Jan. 2, 2019.

Crown Princess Masako is seen on the 30th anniversary of the death of Emperor Showa at the Imperial Palace on January 7, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan.

Crown Prince Naruhito (L), Crown Princess Masako (R) and their daughter Princess Aiko head to the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Jan. 1, 2019, to attend a New Year's ceremony.

Crown Prince Naruhito, Princess Aiko and Crown Princess Masako are seen on arrival at the Imperial Palace to celebrate Emperor Akihito's 85th birthday on December 23, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan.

Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako are seen on arrival at the Imperial Palace to attends the 'Enkai-no-Gi' luncheon party celebrating Emperor Akihito's 85th birthday on December 23, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan.

Crown Princess Masako waves to media reporters on arrival at the Imperial Palace on Emperor Akihito's 85th birthday on December 23, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan.

Crown Princess Masako waves to media reporters on arrival at the Imperial Palace on Emperor Akihito's 85th birthday on December 23, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan.

Emperor Akihito, standing beside Empress Michiko, waves to well-wishers during his final New Year Greeting at the Imperial Palace on January 02, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan.

Emperor Akihito, standing beside Empress Michiko, waves to well-wishers during his final New Year Greeting at the Imperial Palace on January 02, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan.

(L to R) Crown Princess Masako, Crown Prince Naruhito, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko stand during the New Year Greeting session at the Imperial Palace on January 02, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan.

(L to R) Crown Princess Masako, Crown Prince Naruhito, Emperor Akihito, Empress Michiko, Prince Akishino, Princess Kiko, Princess Mako and Princess Kako of Akishino stand on the balcony during the New Year Greeting session at the Imperial Palace on January 02, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan.

 (L to R) Princess Akiko of Mikasa, Princess Nobuko of Mikasa, Crown Princess Masako, Crown Prince Naruhito, Emperor Akihito, Empress Michiko, Prince Akishino, Princess Kiko, Princess Mako, Princess Kako of Akishino, Princess Hisako and Princess Tsuguko of Takamado stand on the balcony during the New Year Greeting session at the Imperial Palace on January 02, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan.

(L to R) Princess Kiko, Princess Mako and Princess Kako of Akishino wave to well-wishers on the balcony during the New Year Greeting session at the Imperial Palace on January 02, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan.

Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko are greeted by Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako during the 'Shinnen-Shukuga-no-Gi' New Year Celebration Ceremony at the Imperial Palace on January 01, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan.

Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko are greeted by Crown Prince Naruhito, Crown Princess Masako, Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko of Akishino during the 'Shinnen-Shukuga-no-Gi' New Year Celebration Ceremony at the Imperial Palace on January 01, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan.

Crown Prince Naruhito, Princess Aiko and Crown Princess Masako are seen on arrival at the 'Shinnen-Shukuga-no-Gi' New Year Celebration Ceremony at the Imperial Palace on January 01, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan.

Emperor Akihito leaves the room with Empress Michiko after the 'Chakai-no-Gi' tea party on his 85th birthday at the Imperial Palace on December 23, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan.

Akihito toasts glass with Empress Michiko, Crown Prince Naruhito and Prince Akishino on his 85th birthday at the Imperial Palace on December 23, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan.

Emperor Akihito attends the 'Chakai-no-Gi' tea party celebrating his 85th birthday with Empress Michiko, Crown Prince Naruhito, Prince Akishino, Princess Kiko of Akishino, Princess Mako of Akishino, Princess Kako of Akishino, Princess Nobuko of Mikasa, Princess Akiko of Mikasa, Princess Yoko of Mikasa, Princess Hisako of Takamado and Princess Tsuguko of Takamado at the Imperial Palace on December 23, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan.

Emperor Akihito addresses during the 'Enkai-no-Gi' luncheon party marking Akihito's 85th birthday at the Imperial Palace on December 23, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan.

Emperor Akihito (3rd R) addresses while Empress Michiko, Crown Prince Naruhito, Crown Princess Masako, Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko of Akishino listen during the 'Enkai-no-Gi' luncheon party marking Akihito's 85th birthday at the Imperial Palace on December 23, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan.

Emperor Akihito (3rd L) waves to well-wishers along with Empress Michiko, Crown Prince Naruhito, Crown Princess Masako, Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko of Akishino on his 85th birthday at the Imperial Palace on December 23, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan.

Princess Mako of Akishino and Princess Kako of Akishino wave to well-wishers on Emperor Akihito's 85th birthday at the Imperial Palace on December 23, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan.

Princess Mako of Akishino and Princess Kako of Akishino wave to well-wishers on Emperor Akihito's 85th birthday at the Imperial Palace on December 23, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan.

Princess Mako and Princess Kako of Akishino talk with guests during the 'Chakai-no-Gi' tea party celebrating Emperor Akihito's 85th birthday at the Imperial Palace on December 23, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan.

Emperor Akihito leaves the room with Empress Michiko after the 'Chakai-no-Gi' tea party on his 85th birthday at the Imperial Palace on December 23, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan.

Japan Princess Ayako's Engagement Announcement at a Press Conference at the Imperial Household Agency in Tokyo on July 2, 2018

Kei Moriya, the fiance of Japanese Princess Ayako, the youngest daughter of Emperor Akihito's late cousin Prince Takamado, is pictured outside his home in Tokyo on July 2, 2018. The two will become officially engaged on Aug. 12 and hold a wedding ceremony on Oct. 29.

Kei Moriya, the fiance of Japanese Princess Ayako, the youngest daughter of Emperor Akihito's late cousin Prince Takamado, is pictured outside his home in Tokyo on July 2, 2018. The two will become officially engaged on Aug. 12 and hold a wedding ceremony on Oct. 29.

Princess Ayako (L), the youngest daughter of Emperor Akihito's late cousin Prince Takamado, and her mother Princess Hisako leave the Akasaka Estate, where they reside, in Tokyo on July 2, 2018, to meet with Empress Michiko. Princess Ayako will marry Kei Moriya, who works for major shipping firm Nippon Yusen K.K., on Oct. 29, 2018.

Princess Ayako, the youngest daughter of Emperor Akihito's late cousin Prince Takamado, and Kei Moriya attend a press conference at the Imperial Household Agency in Tokyo on July 2, 2018, following an official announcement of their engagement earlier in the day.

Japanese Princess Ayako, the youngest daughter of Emperor Akihito's late cousin Prince Takamado, arrives at the Imperial Palace, in Tokyo on July 2, 2018, to meet with Empress Michiko. Princess Ayako will marry Kei Moriya, who works for major shipping firm Nippon Yusen K.K., on Oct. 29, 2018.

Princess Ayako, the youngest daughter of Emperor Akihito's late cousin Prince Takamado, leaves the Akasaka Estate, the residence of the princess, in Tokyo on July 2, 2018, to meet with Empress Michiko. Princess Ayako will marry Kei Moriya, who works for major shipping firm Nippon Yusen K.K., on Oct. 29, 2018.

Princess Ayako, the youngest daughter of Emperor Akihito's late cousin Prince Takamado, leaves the Akasaka Estate, the residence of the princess, in Tokyo on July 2, 2018, to meet with Empress Michiko. Princess Ayako will marry Kei Moriya, who works for major shipping firm Nippon Yusen K.K., on Oct. 29, 2018.

Princess Ayako, the youngest daughter of Emperor Akihito's late cousin Prince Takamado, and Kei Moriya attend a press conference at the Imperial Household Agency in Tokyo on July 2, 2018, following an official announcement of their engagement earlier in the day.

Princess Ayako, the youngest daughter of Emperor Akihito's late cousin Prince Takamado, and Kei Moriya attend a press conference at the Imperial Household Agency in Tokyo on July 2, 2018, following an official announcement of their engagement earlier in the day.

Japanese Princess Ayako (L), the youngest daughter of Emperor Akihito's late cousin Prince Takamado, and her mother Princess Hisako leave the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on July 2, 2018, after meeting with Empress Michiko. Princess Ayako will marry Kei Moriya, who works for major shipping firm Nippon Yusen K.K., on Oct. 29, 2018.

Princess Ayako, the youngest daughter of Emperor Akihito's late cousin Prince Takamado, and Kei Moriya attend a press conference at the Imperial Household Agency in Tokyo on July 2, 2018, following an official announcement of their engagement earlier in the day.

Princess Ayako, the youngest daughter of Emperor Akihito's late cousin Prince Takamado, and Kei Moriya attend a press conference at the Imperial Household Agency in Tokyo on July 2, 2018, following an official announcement of their engagement earlier in the day.

Princess Ayako, the youngest daughter of Emperor Akihito's late cousin Prince Takamado, and Kei Moriya attend a press conference at the Imperial Household Agency in Tokyo on July 2, 2018, following an official announcement of their engagement earlier in the day.

Princess Mako (right) is engaged to Kei Komuro (left). But in Japan women are not allowed to succeed the throne, meaning that when the pair, both 25, tie the knot, she will lose her status

Emperor Akihito (left, with Empress Michiko at the centenary reception of the foundation of the America-Japan Society in Tokyo in April this year) has won plaudits for seizing upon the constitutionally-prescribed role of national symbol

Japan's Emperor Akihito (front left) and Empress Michiko (front right) mingle with members of the royal family during a spring garden party at the Akasaka Palace imperial garden in Tokyo on April 20, 2017

Princess Ayako said she had met Kei Moriya (L) in December last year and fallen in love with his 'kind, smart and decisive' personality

Japan's Princess Ayako has unveiled her 'commoner' fiance to the world ahead of a marriage which will mean the end of her royal status.

Princess Ayako and Kei Moriya will marry on October 29 at Tokyo's Meiji Jingu shrine, as Ayako becomes the second Japanese princess in less than two years to marry a commoner.

Journalists watch on as Princess Ayako and her fiance Kei Moriya speak to the press today, July 2, 2018

Japan's Princess Ayako (right) has unveiled her 'commoner' fiance Kei Moriya (left) to the world ahead of a marriage which will mean the end of her royal status

In September last year, Princess Mako, Emperor Akihito's oldest grandchild, and her college classmate Kei Komuro announced their engagement.

Kei Komuro, engaged to Princess Mako, the first grandchild of Emperor Akihito, speaks to reporters in Tokyo on May 17, 2017. Komuro, a former fellow student with the Princess at International Christian University, works at a Tokyo law firm while attending Hitotsubashi University's graduate school.

All grown up: Princess Mako (then four), father Prince Akishino, sister Princess Kako (then one) and mother Princess Kiko pose for photographs in Kanagawa, Japan in January 1996

Princess Mako of Akishino (R) and her fiance Kei Komuro (L) attend a press conference at the Akasaka Estate on September 3, 2017, in Tokyo, Japan. Princess Mako, a granddaughter of the emperor and empress, expressed delight with her engagement to her fiance, Kei Komuro, as the young couple exchanged smiles at a news conference.