Relishing royal life through representatives of the crown.
Japan names new era
The new era will be named Reiwa, meaning “good fortune” and “harmony”. May this always be the case for the new emperor and empress and the people of Japan!
See the video below for the announcement of the name of Naruhito’s era and new reign.
See the video of the announcement below!
In an unexpected move, Japan’s Emperor Akihito will abdicate this spring.
The 85-year-old emperor has expressed concern over his health affecting his ability to carry out duties. [Read more…] about Japan’s Emperor Akihito Prepares to Step Down
Crown Princess Masako
Princess Mako, a granddaughter of Japan’s Emperor Akihito, is set to marry her college sweetheart, Kei Komuro. Since Komuro is a commoner, Mako will lose her royal title and become a commoner, too. She will be given a dowry and never mentioned again. Sounds cold.
Unsurprisingly, this has reignited the debate on women’s status and royal succession laws in Japan which currently favor males.
Princesses Escape
While it sounds bad, a Japanese princess being dropped from all mention of royal life may not be so bad after all. While much of Japan is modern, the Imperial Household Agency, the organization that governs the royal family, is not. Leaving that behind may be a boon.
Princess Mako’s engagement may present her with a world of opportunity that she would not have had otherwise on her own. Her life as a princess is likely tightly controlled with strict observance of protocol. The women are lesser than the men, and must keep to the background. This is not mere social observance of protocol like the current European royal courts. This is life under an iron fist.
If Mako is nervous – and I don’t blame her – she can look to her paternal aunt, Sayako (formerly Princess Nori) who also married a commoner.
Sayako lost her title when she married a commoner in 2005. She was known simply as Mrs. Sayako Kuroda thereafter. She is never mentioned as a member of the family on the Imperial family’s official website despite being the only daughter of the emperor.
The new Mrs. Kuroda didn’t seem too unhappy about it, though. As she embarked on married life, her parting words were about her feelings of “loneliness” and “unease” as a princess. She also took a shot at the Imperial Household Agency. Speaking out for her mother, Empress Michiko, Sayako stated that “Her Majesty collapsed due to unbearable fatigue and distress and lost her power of speech” after “being exposed to a great deal of criticism that had no ground in fact.”
So when a Japanese princess marries a commoner man, she loses her status and her family. Sounds unfortunate. When a commoner woman marries a Japanese prince, they are elevated to their husband’s royal rank. Becoming a Japanese princess seems like it should probably be better, right? You get a title with tiaras and gowns while waving merrily from a palace balcony.
If Sayako’s testimony on her mother the Empress is anything to go by, then think again.
Hated Commoners
Enter Crown Princess Masako, a commoner who was a multilingual diplomat educated at Harvard University. She married Crown Prince Naruhito in 1993, but instead of being able to use her background as a representative of Japan, Masako was grounded. She found it hard to adjust to palace life ever since and has suffered stress-related illnesses for decades with only rare public appearances. When Masako does attend an event, royal watchers rejoice.
Naruhito took a public stance for his wife in 2004, hinting that the blame lay with the backwards attitude of the Imperial Household Agency smothering Masako:
“It is true there were moves to negate Masako’s career and her personality, which was influenced by that career,” Naruhito said.
Masako was a modern woman with a career, which apparently rankled with the old order, but much of the princess’s stress stemmed from that old chestnut over male primogeniture. She struggled to get pregnant in the early years of her marriage, and when she finally succeeded, she bore a girl named Aiko. Despite the lack of males in the family, the Imperial Household agency and many government officials STILL fought the idea of a woman on the royal Chrysanthemum throne. However, it seemed there was no choice but for this institution to accept an empress. Then, an announcement.
Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko, Naruhito’s brother and sister-in-law, announced a pregnancy of their own. They already had two preteen daughters, but the thought of being able to put a son on the throne was obviously too much to resist. Prince Hisahito, Japan’s new rising son, was born in 2006, a mere three years after Naruhito’s daughter Aiko.
Masako was made to feel that her main function – a mother to an heir – was a failure. With no professional outlet and her wonderful daughter frowned upon, is it any wonder why the Crown Princess has been stressed and joyless in her role all these years?
Her mother-in-law, Empress Michiko, did face those same difficulties. She holds the distinction of being the very first commoner to wed a Japanese royal. She married Akihito when he was Crown Prince and heir to Emperor Hirohito. Michiko also suffered stress as a young princess adjusting to imperial court life. Her life was probably only slightly better than Masako’s by virtue of producing two sons and was not a career woman who presented a challenge to the ancient traditions of the IHA. By being a commoner, that was bad enough.
Little has been done to try and change the IHA, but with Naruhito speaking out publicly in recent years – and the fact that he will soon become emperor when his father abdicates – the old order may find that things are going to be a little different from now on.
Forthcoming Abdication
Emperor Akihito, in delicate health at age 84, will step down soon. This is the first time a Japanese Emperor has abdicated in 200 years. Naruhito will ascend the throne and when he does, will he try to force a change in succession laws? It is my belief that he will at least try to expand Masako’s freedom in her role as empress, given his statement about protecting her and criticizing the Imperial Household Agency.
The couple also have the support of fellow royals. In April 2013, Queen Maxima of the Netherlands personally phoned Princess Masako and insisted she attend to the Dutch inauguration of King Willem-Alexander. Happily, Masako attended with Naruhito to the delight of many Japanese and many royal watchers. Prior to this, the former Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands hosted the Crown Prince and Princess and grew close to them.
With this monumental change in leadership, as well as fellow royals rooting for them, will Naruhito and Masako usher in a new era in the Japanese Royal Family? I can’t wait to find out. I wish them the best for the future. There has to be a way for the Japanese royal women to thrive and to eventually reign. Otherwise, it’s time to marry a commoner and escape the world of the Imperial Household Agency.
The Duke of Cambridge has arrived in Tokyo, beginning his official royal visit to the Far East. The prince’s primary purpose is to promote the UK’s good relationship with both countries.
In Japan, William will meet with people whose lives were affected by the 2011 tsunami and the subsequent destruction of the Fukushima power plant.
On Friday, the Duke will meet with Japanese Emperor Akihito and his wife, Empress Michiko.
On his visit to China, the Duke will hopefully smooth royal relations between his country and the Chinese government. This high-profile tour by William is viewed as an attempt to improve diplomatic relations with Beijing after his father, Prince Charles, unwittingly created controversy about the 1997 Hong Kong handover.
The Prince of Wales wrote his thoughts on the matter in a diary, which was supposed to remain private. Charles referred to the event as ” The great Chinese takeaway” and that Chinese officials were “appalling old waxworks”. The diary found its way into the media, putting a strain on the relationship between London and Beijing.
Maybe that’s why Charles is so outspoken. He figures people will find a way to release his private thoughts into the mainstream no matter what, so he’s taking a “to hell with it, then” approach and just says what he feels.
I wish William all the best on his tour. I’m looking forward to when the Duchess of Cambridge will make her first solo overseas tour. Her first was set to be Malta, but William took over when it was announced that Kate was pregnant again and hyperemesis gravidarum had returned.
Good luck, William! Don’t write anything down.
Emperor Naruhito (almost wrote Akihito, I am so used to that!) ascends the Chrysanthemum Throne. The actual footage begins at minute 5:35. (UPDATE: Photos have been added from screenshots)
Queen Elizabeth II is probably not amused. She would never even entertain the thought. It’s that dreaded “A” word, the one that gives her the chills.
That’s right – abdication.
But it’s not a dirty word. [Read more…] about Royal Abdications
There is so much information pouring out of Japan over the abdication, it made me curious about their customs. Looking at some of their cultural etiquette – specifically bowing – I found some interesting tidbits, especially as it relates to American leaders. [Read more…] about Respectful Etiquette: Should American Presidents Bow?
Happy birthday to the Queen! Her Majesty turns 92 today (April 21)
She shows no signs of stepping down from her throne. Sure, she has scaled back a little, but she soldiers on. The Duke of Edinburgh, 96, retired only last year, and probably because his health has really forced him to do so. I don’t think the Duke would willingly slow down if given the choice.
The Queen is slowing down a little, but because she’s the monarch, she’s not going anywhere anytime soon. However, she is paving the way to ensure that it is known to all that Charles will be the next king and the next head of the Commonwealth. She underscored the point in her speech at this year’s Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).
Why did she do that? Well, there has been speculation that Charles isn’t as popular as Prince William, his eldest son. Like the monarchy is a popularity contest of “will they/won’t they be voted off the island”. It seems silly, but when the rumor starts being repeated over and over, people start thinking, hey, William could be more popular, maybe he will be the next king!
Not so. In fact, it’s so not so that the Queen came right out and introduced Charles as being the next head of the Commonwealth like her, and her father before her. Case in point: Charles is next. Put the kibosh on any other thoughts of William’s ascendancy.
The unusual forthright comment on Charles succeeding her is down to two words: The Abdication. While several royal contemporaries in Europe (and now Japan) have abdicated for the next generation, Elizabeth is not going to do so and Charles isn’t going to, either. Her uncle, Edward VIII, abdicated the throne and left Elizabeth’s father, Prince Albert, unprepared to be king and rather fearful of the task at hand. The Royal Family would hold Edward and Wallis in contempt forever more. Through it all, a little princess was watching everything unfold. Young Elizabeth of York would have it ingrained in her that abdication equals dereliction of duty.
The extremely responsible and serious princess wasn’t having any of that nonsense, and as we can see, she still won’t. There will be no abdications, for her or for Charles. William has to wait his turn.
The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall listen to the Queen’s speech during the 2018 CHOGM.
Elizabeth is delegating, however, and she’s pointing the spotlight on her son and heir, Charles. Her Majesty is making sure that the business of monarchy will continue seamlessly. It is the right thing to do.
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