A Japanese Princess Just Gave Up Her Royal Status To Marry For Love

Princess Ayako, a member of the Japanese royal family, married commoner Kei Moriya on Monday in Tokyo. She had to give up her status as a royal in order to marry him. That rule does not apply to male royals who marry female commoners.

Japan’s Princess Ayako married commoner Kei Moriya on Monday at the famous Meiji Shrine in Tokyo Monday, CNN reports. Around 1,000 supporters showed up to cheer them on, yelling, “Banzai,” signifying wishes for a long life. But in order for them to wed, the princess had to give up her status as a member of the imperial family.

Moriya, 28, is a commoner who works at the shipping company Nippon Yusen KK. Because he lacks royal or aristocratic family members, Princess Ayako must give up her title, status, and even money to marry him—something male royals do not have to do if they marry female commoners. Now that she has given up her royal status, she will receive a lump sum of $950,000 for living expenses.

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Princess Ayako wore a yellow uchiki kimono with pink flowers and green leaves, a look similar to what her sister, Princess Noriko, wore at her wedding in 2014. She changed into a red kouchiki cloak and a brown naga-bakama skirt for the Shinto-style ceremony.

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Moriya wore a Western-style morning coat and a silk hat that belonged to Prince Takamodo, the late father of Princess Ayako. Prince Takamodo was the cousin of Emperor Akihito, and Princess Ayako, 28, is his youngest daughter. During the ceremony, they exchanged rings and a cup of sake, the Associated Press reported.

The wedding was a private ceremony, but the couple spoke to reporters after it ended. "I would like to support her firmly and, hand in hand, build a happy family with lots of laughter,” Moriya said. "I am awed by how blessed I am," Ayako added. "I will leave the imperial family today, but I will remain unchanged in my support for his majesty and her majesty.”

Related article: 20 Royals Who Have Married Commoners

This article originally appeared on Harper's BAZAAR US.