Princess Mako of Japan’s family don formal suits in first official photo since she quit royal life

Princess Mako of Japan’s family has released their first official portrait since she renounced her title to marry her commoner boyfriend.

To mark the start of the new year, Princess Mako of Japan’s family were photographed at their official residence in Tokyo. Pictured, her parents Crown Prince Akishino, front left, and Crown Princess Kiko, front right, with children Princess Kako and Prince Hisahito.

Mako, far left, eldest daughter of Crown Prince Fumihito and niece of reigning Emperor Naruhito, gave up her place in the royal family in October when she married sweetheart Kei Komuro. Pictured, Mako and her family in November 2020, a year before she left royal life.

Only male heirs descended from a male emperor are eligible for the throne. The family currently has three male heirs: Crown Prince Akishino, Prince Hisahito and Prince Hitachi.

 It comes after Princess Aiko of Japan (pictured) carried out her first official royal engagement since coming of age as she joined her family for the traditional New Year’s ceremony in Tokyo. Aiko, the only child of Emperor Naruhito, 61 and Empress Masako, 58, turned 20 in December, the age at which imperial family members officially begin their public life. It means she will now take on royal duties alongside senior family members.

Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako (left) and their daughter Princess Aiko pose in a family portrait session at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, in an image released to mark the new year.

Despite being the only child of the Emperor, who ascended the throne in May 2019, Japanese laws favoring male heirs means Aiko (pictured in 2010 with her parents) is not in the line of succession.

Japan’s former emperor Akihito and former empress Michiko posing for a photograph at Sento Karigosho or the Temporary Emeritus Imperial Palace in Tokyo, ahead of the New Year.

Princess Mako is getting her first taste of life as a commoner in New York City where she’s now living with her new husband, Kei Komuro, after sensationally giving up her royal title. The eldest daughter of Crown Prince Fumihito and niece of reigning Emperor Naruhito was spotted in November for the first time since trading Tokyo’s Imperial Palace for the bright lights of the Big Apple.

The former royal, 30, who now goes simply by Mako Komuro, made a trip to Bed, Bath & Beyond Friday to pick up some home essentials for the couple’s new marital home in Hell’s Kitchen. 

Exclusive DailyMail.com photos show Mako at the home furnishings store where she spent about an hour and a half shopping for bath towels, coat hangers, organizer baskets, some paper towels, and other items.

Mako was alone during the outing and pushed her own shopping cart around the store and had no security detail protecting her. She was dressed in a long forest green coat, black top, and blue jeans – a much more casual look than the modest, formal attire she regularly wore in public back home.