Princess Aiko, the only child of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, turned 20 today. Princess Aiko was born on December 1, 2001. On the occasion of the 20th birthday of the Princess, several ceremonies will be held on December 5 (because of her university classes). In a ceremony, Princess Aiko will receive 'The Order of the Precious Crown'. By receiving that order, the Princess will be able to attend public activities. Princess Aiko is expected to attend New Year's Receptions as her first public activity.
The Order of the Precious Crown is an order established on January 4, 1888 by Emperor Meiji. The Order of the Precious Crown is only presented to female members of the Imperial Family and foreign ladies of distinction.
Princess Aiko visited the Sannomaru Shozokan (The Museum of the Imperial Collections), ahead of her 20th birthday. The Museum of the Imperial Collections Sannomaru-Shōzōkan is located on the grounds of the East Garden of Tokyo Imperial Palace. It showcases a changing exhibition of a part of the imperial household treasures.
I wish the royal Japanese women could dress more stylishly... regular Japanese women in Tokyo look so gorgeous and I love their unique, sophisticated looks. I wonder if Princess Aiko will have to leave the family if she marries?
ReplyDeleteAll female members who marry commoners , which ends up being all female members, must leave ....
DeleteBeautiful young woman with her pet dog.
ReplyDeletei think she is getting more beautiful as she gets older, this hair style is better than the bangs but the clothes!!!
ReplyDeletej.
Aiko has matured since we last saw her. That being said, there is still no excuse for her matronly clothes. There has got to be a happy medium for a young woman in this family. Boxy, shapeless clothes that hide all indicators that she has a body are just another of the many examples of the sexist culture within the Imperial family. The Imperial Household Agency (men) oversees (controls) the Imperial family, including their image. The women have been held to a traditional role and conservative appearance since the end of WWII. I can't help but wonder if this unflattering style of dress is a way of reminding these young women of their place in the family. The only time they publicly show their figures is for official functions, when they appear in semi-matching attire. I keep thinking of the newly private citizen Mako and how fantastic she looked at the airport departing for New York. I hope Aiko gets some time to be herself privately with friends. It won't be long and the Imperial Household Agency will have ended the Japanese monarchy with their unyielding quest to maintain tradition at any cost. ~d
ReplyDeleteTotally agree with ~d.
DeleteBut anyway it is good to see Aiko smile!
Lovely to see princess Aiko. Happy birthday!!
ReplyDeleteI love the outfit, I only wish the jacket was longer.
T
Happy birthday princess Aiko. She is lovely, however, her outfit just makes me sad. This neither fits nor suits her. The blue one is better in terms of colour and fit, but looks way too strict on her too.
ReplyDeleteShe looks much like her mother, and better and better. But so far from a modern young lady.
ReplyDeleteC'est avec plaisir que je souhaite un bon anniversaire à Aiko qui est devenue de plus en plus jolie ; léger mieux dans sa coiffure avec les cheveux relevés mais au niveau vestimentaire, quelques efforts pourraient être faits pour un style plus moderne ; les couleurs bleue et blanche lui vont à merveille !
ReplyDeleteWow, 20 years old already - hard to believe. I sincerely hope that these strict, strait-laced, mature outfits are for formal occasions/photos only. Surely she wears more modern casual clothes in her daily life around the palace. Happy Birthday to Aiko! ~Laurel~
ReplyDeleteThe Japanese court refrains from the jet-set trend of western royalty to wear fashion like movie stars: I like it that they keep to their own classic style.
ReplyDeleteLovely young woman.
Josh
Exactly. And this is why it is completely irrelevant if and who likes it or not. Such a statement is utterly uninteresting for others to read. The Japanese Royals have a very conservative attitude and this is simply none of our business. In other words: basic respect of the kind people require for their own way of life. (-Ann.)
DeleteWhy on earth do you bother coming to a blog that is primarily concerned with fashion and discussions thereof if you find people's opinions on it utterly uninteresting?!
DeleteGeez...
@Anon 19:45 "Geez": Maybe you read my post again and then maybe you understand it: I come here (if I come at all) exactly because I am interested in fashion and not in the emotions of people who declare "I love it/I hate it/how awful" etc. This is not fashion talk. - How about putting your ID under your post? (-Ann)
DeleteIn her years as crown princess, Empress Michiko dressed elegantly and flatteringly, in dresses, suits, coats and evening gowns that were understated but highly fashionable. At some point the all-powerful IHA officials must have changed their mind about how the young ladies of the imperial family should dress.
DeletePues yo digo que la ropa que trae puesta es horrible. Que no entiendo que se vista con esos trapos sobre todo en las primeras fotos. Con el traje azul tiene un pase. Esta es mi opinión sobre esa ropa que no me parece adecuada para una chica de veinte años.
DeleteLa anterior emperatriz era super elegante y usaba una ropa discreta.
Lovely to see Princess Aiko on the occasion of such an important birthday. She is quite a young woman now. I am surprised at her outfit though : I know Imperial protocol requires very classical pieces, and the tailoring is generally fautless. Here, and on previous occasions regarding Princess Aiko's outfits, there seems to be something wrong with the size and shape of the jacket. It just doesn't fit. Well, I guess it's just something to forget, and I am looking forward to her tiara outfit on December 5 !
ReplyDeleteMaguy
I find many of these comments insulting. “Modern” young women wear many different styles and these are not thaaat different to some things Kate has worn. But the fact of the matter is, the JIF are a totally different world to most of the Royal families we cover. I think we can safely assume these are not necessarily clothes Aiko has freely chosen for herself. And thus, it’s not particularly fair to critique the fashion.
ReplyDeleteBut since we are, if she removed the blazer from the first outfit and just wore the simple brown silk top underneath, I daresay it could even be called fashionable. A long skirt is quite modern at present.
-PB
Wishing her a very happy birthday! I think she favours her father.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to her debut tiara event. I’m sure she look splendid! Ana
She seems like a real sweetheart, what a lovely young lady. I wish her all the best.
ReplyDeleteI love Aiko’s soft updo and her earrings; it is so good to see her looking grown up and sophisticated. I am puzzled, though, by the fact that even now, her attire (other than the lovely formal gown and jacket at the Dec. 5 event) is not as well-tailored and flattering to her as the attractive, impeccable dresses and suits routinely worn by her cousins Mako and Kako for official engagements. The blue and white outfit comes closest, as at least it fits her properly — but I am hoping for some really beautiful outfits as time goes on. May she be blessed with a happy and fulfilling life. I think her parents will see to it that she has opportunities to thrive.
ReplyDeletePost a Comment
(We will not publish anonymous comments that were posted without stating a name or nickname)