Japan Princess engaged to college love; wedding next year

Princess Mako set to marry Kei Komuro, who charmed her with his “smiles like the sun,” sincerity and a big heart

Japan’s Princess Mako (right), the elder daughter of Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko, speaks to the reporters as her fiance Kei Komuro, looks on during a press conference at Akasaka East Residence in Tokyo on September 3, 2017. The wedding will take place next year and after that Princess Mako will be a commoner and no longer a royal.

Japanese Emperor Akihito’s oldest grandchild, Princess Mako, has said she is getting married to her university classmate ,who won her heart with bright smiles and sincerity.

Princess Mako and her fiance Kei Komuro told a joint news conference on Sunday their relationship started when the royal sat behind him at a campus meeting five years ago at Tokyo’s International Christian University, where they graduated from.

Palace officials say their wedding is expected next year.

Princess Mako said she fell in love with his “smiles like the sun,” sincerity and a big heart. Her 83-year-old grandfather, Emperor Akihito, is expected to abdicate in late 2018. He’ll be succeeded by his eldest son, Crown Prince Naruhito.

She will then be commoner

Princess Mako does not qualify as women aren’t allowed to succeed the throne. She’ll lose her royal status after marrying the commoner.