This Japanese Princess Gave Up $1.4M and Her Royal Title to Marry the Man She Loved
Not every princess lives in a castle. Some walk away from them to chase something even more powerful — love.
Princess Mako of Japan’s Imperial Family made headlines around the world in 2021, not for a grand royal event, but for turning away from everything that came with her title. Not for scandal, not for rebellion — but for love. The niece of Emperor Naruhito, born into one of the oldest monarchies in the world, quietly gave up her place in the Japanese royal family and moved halfway across the globe. She wasn’t forced out. She chose it. And the story behind that decision is both heartbreaking and deeply inspiring.
She met Kei Komuro when they were both students at the University of Tokyo. Two young people, studying, dreaming, and slowly falling in love — the kind of story we all hear in movies or novels. But for Mako, love couldn’t just be about feelings. It had consequences. Japan’s Imperial Household Law is strict: any female member of the royal family who marries a commoner is immediately removed from royal status. She doesn’t just change her last name — she loses everything. No more duties, no public funding, no titles, no royal protection. Nothing.
Still, in 2017, when they got engaged, Mako didn’t hesitate. She knew the cost. And she accepted it. The engagement set off a media frenzy in Japan. Kei Komuro wasn’t from a noble background. He was a regular guy. Worse — in the eyes of many critics — he had financial controversies linked to his family. People questioned whether he was “worthy” of a princess. Tabloids dug into his past. Reporters followed him relentlessly. The pressure became so intense that Kei moved to New York to study law. Mako, still in Japan, faced a storm of media criticism for her decision to stand by him.
But she never backed down. Not once.
The wedding was delayed for years. Royal protocols, public scrutiny, and national conversations about tradition versus modern love all stood in their way. But on October 26, 2021, they finally married. Not with a grand ceremony. There were no horse-drawn carriages, no palace ball. Just a humble civil registration — a choice that reflected the kind of life they were about to lead.
And that wasn’t the only thing she gave up. In Japan, any royal who steps down is typically entitled to a one-time financial grant from the government — in Mako’s case, around $1.4 million. It’s meant to help them adjust to life as a private citizen. But she turned that down too. Quietly. Without drama. She simply refused to profit from her departure.
Then, in a move that would melt even the most skeptical heart, the couple left Japan entirely and settled in New York. They live in a modest apartment in the city. He works at a law firm. She has started a new life away from the spotlight. No grand palaces. No titles. No staff. Just two people trying to make it work, together. Like any other couple in love.
What Princess Mako did is not just rare — it’s almost unheard of in modern royalty. Across the world, we’ve seen royals try to balance their titles with their personal lives. We’ve seen palace dramas, exile threats, press wars, and tabloid feuds. But what we rarely see is someone quietly, respectfully walking away from power. Choosing love not as an act of rebellion — but as an act of peace.
She wasn’t trying to make headlines. She wasn’t chasing freedom. She was following her heart — but doing so with grace, integrity, and incredible strength. Love stories like this are more than just fairy tales. They remind us that true power isn’t about crowns, titles, or wealth. It’s about standing beside the person you love when it’s the hardest thing to do.
It’s easy to imagine the life Mako could have had if she chose duty over love. She would’ve remained a princess, with staff to serve her, state visits, protection, and public adoration. But she wanted something different. She wanted an ordinary life with an extraordinary love. And maybe that’s the real fairytale.
In a time when we’re bombarded with stories of heartbreak, scandal, and ego, her choice stands out like a quiet revolution. It shows us that tradition doesn’t always have to win. That love can rewrite even the most ancient rules. And that sometimes, the most powerful choice isn’t staying on the throne — it’s walking away from it.