Tokyo
Princess Sayako, the only daughter of Japanese Emperor Akihito, gave up her royal status this week by marrying a commoner. Sayako, 36, married Yoshiki Kuroda, 40, in a small ceremony at a Tokyo hotel. “I look forward to a new life as a member of the Kuroda family, while treasuring in my heart the life I have led up until now with their majesties and my family,” Sayako said. Future princesses may not have to make such a sacrifice for love. The government is considering changing the law to allow women to inherit the throne and to retain royal titles, no matter whom they marry. Princes already have those rights.
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