Japan's Princess Mako marries a commoner, loses royal status

Japan's Princess Mako has lost her royal status after marrying a commoner, Kei Komuro. The marraige has split public opinion and was delayed for more than three years because of a financial dispute involving her new mother-in-law.

On Tuesday morning, Princess Mako left the palace wearing a pale blue dress, bidding goodbye to her parents, Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko, and her sister Kako.

Mako has now taken the surname of her husband and the marriage document for Mako and Kei Komuro was submitted by a palace official Tuesday morning.

The wedding was a simple affair devoid of rituals and the couple will not be hosting a wedding banquet.

Mako has also declined the 140 million yen ($1.23 million) dowry which she was entitled to for leaving the imperial family. She is the first imperial family member since World War II to not receive the payment after marrying a commoner.