International royal houses have customs about what happens when one of their members marries a commoner, and one of the strictest is in Japan, where Mako Komuro had to renounce her lineage to the throne after marrying Kei Komuro.
The couple met while studying at the International Christian University. They married on 26 October 2021, three years after their wedding was initially scheduled. The nuptials were delayed over a financial dispute between Kei’s mother and her former fiancé.
As a result of being exiled from the Imperial House following her wedding, Mako and Kei moved to New York City. In November 2021, the couple were seen moving to New York City, disembarking at John F. Kennedy Airport.
Ahead of her move, Mako said: “What I would like is to just lead a peaceful life in my new environment. We are starting a new life together. There will be obstacles in different forms going forward, but as a couple we will overcome these obstacles with our combined strength… I hope that I can build a warm family in an environment where I can spend my time calmly.”
At the time, the couple reportedly rented a luxurious one-bedroom apartment in New York with access to a fitness centre, spa, yoga studio, golf simulator and a library curated by Strand Book Store.
Changes since initial move
The couple have made several changes since their move nearly five years ago, namely the arrival of their first child. The arrival was confirmed on 30 May 2025, although the initial post didn’t confirm the baby’s gender or the arrival date.
A statement said that “as well as their other children, are delighted about the birth and are wishing for the happiness of the Komuro family”.
Due to the arrival of their baby, Mako didn’t return to Japan to celebrate her younger brother, Prince Hisahito’s coming-of-age ceremony, citing the distance and time she would need to be away from her newborn. However, Mako did express an interest in returning to visit her family in the future.
As a result of no longer being a royal, Mako has pursued her own career, being an art historian. In 2022, it was reported she was working at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, with a specialisation in Japanese artworks. However, a previous statement from the Museum said: “Ms. Komuro has in the past helped curators with research on an informal and unpaid basis; she is not a museum employee.”
© Jean CatuffeIn October 2025, it was confirmed that the pair also owned a home in Fairfield County, Connecticut, with the pair quietly purchasing the property. The home was reportedly worth a modest $680,000.
Photos published by the New York Post earlier this month saw the pair with their child, now believed to be aged 11 months as they headed on a family shopping trip in their new home state. The couple were seen buying from a local cheese store, a supermarket and a bakery.
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