Former Japanese Princess Mako Welcomes First Child With Husband Kei Komuro

Former Princess Mako of Japan, who gave up her royal title in 2021 to marry her longtime partner and commoner Kei Komuro, has welcomed their first child.

The Imperial Household Agency confirmed the birth on May 30, 2025, noting that both mother and baby are in good health. While details such as the child’s gender and exact birth date have not been disclosed, the news marks a significant milestone for the couple, who now reside in New York City.

Mako, the eldest daughter of Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko, gave up her royal status—as required by Japan’s Imperial House Law—when she married Komuro, a former classmate from International Christian University. She also declined the customary $1.3 million government payout typically given to women leaving the imperial family.

Now living a quiet life in the U.S., Komuro works as a lawyer while Mako has been involved in museum and art-related work, including a stint at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The child is the first grandchild of Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko, and the first niece or nephew to Princess Kako and Prince Hisahito. Though the agency had hoped to allow Mako her privacy, the birth was confirmed publicly in light of widespread media attention.

The couple’s journey—from royal controversy to parenthood—continues to draw interest both in Japan and internationally.