The Japanese Princess Aiko, the first of her official royal engagements since becoming an adult, was performed as she accompanied her family to Tokyo’s traditional New Year’s Eve ceremony. 

Aiko, the only daughter of Empress Masako and Emperor Naruhito, aged 61, was 20 when she celebrated the formal start to imperial families’ public lives. This means that she will be taking on the royal duties of senior members of her family.    

Demuru Aiko, the Imperial Household’s most senior member, participated in Shinnen Shukuga-no Gi Tokyo on January 1. This reception saw the Imperial Household’s highest ranking members toast the new year before illustrious guests. 

Naruhito’s brother, Crown Prince Fumihito Akishino Akishino, also known as Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko Akishino and their 27-year-old daughter Kako were among those present. Mako, Mako’s other daughter, was 30 when her husband, a commoner student sweetheart, forced her to abdicate her royal title. 

Aiko was dressed in a white dress with pearls and gloves to mark her debut into the public eye. A tiara was not worn by her, however.

For centuries, the reception was a time when the ladies of the Imperial family wore glitzy jewels and elaborate tiaras. But Naruhito, who has been fighting the Coronavirus pandemic since its inception, has been able to reduce the amount of bling to favor more discrete looks. 

Aiko, the only child of Emperor Naruhito, 61 and Empress Masako, 58, turned 20 in December, marking her coming of age. It means she can now take on royal duties alongside senior family members. She took part in the Shukuga-no Gi on January 1

Aiko, who is the sole child of Empress Masako (58) and Emperor Naruhito (61), turned 20 on December 20, marking her turning of age. This means that she is now able to take on the royal duties of senior members of her family. The Shukuga-no Gi was her participation on January 1.

Princess Aiko, pictured left, led other female members of the imperial family during the celebration. The women all dressed in demure white gowns, gloves and decided not to sport their traditional tiaras

The celebration was led by Princess Aiko (pictured right), who was accompanied other female members the imperial families. These women were dressed in white dresses, gloves, and decided to forgo traditional tiaras.

Emperor Nahurito and Empress Masako led the senior members of the imperial household into the reception, followed by Crown Prince Akishino and Princess Aiko

Emperor Nahurito and Empress Masako led the senior members of the imperial household into the reception, followed by Crown Prince Akishino and Princess Aiko

Aiko looked calm and poised at her first royal engagement. Aiko was wearing a white delicate dress with the imperial Family’s sash, as well the white gloves that the Imperial Household ladies always use for the ceremony. 

The style of her hair was a nice, neat twist that is far from what she had in past photos.   

She wore a matching pair of earrings and a subtle pearl necklace, just like her mother and aunts. 

Standing at her parents’ left, she looked up to their guests who were seated on a tiny stage. 

They looked calm and composed. Nahurita looked elegant in a sleek black suit, a white shirt, and his Imperial honours. Masako, who wore a floor length white gown with long sleeves and an identical bun to her daughter, wore the same outfit as her.

Crows usually gather on the Imperial Palace’s balcony in Tokyo in order to see the Emperor and his family. However, Naruhito decided to speak to his citizens via video message for the second consecutive time, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.  

After the ceremony, Aiko looked poised as she left the other women of the imperial household out of the room, which include Princess Nobuko of Mikasa, Princess Akiko of Mikasa and Princess Yoko of Mikasa

 After the ceremony, Aiko looked poised as she left the other women of the imperial household out of the room, which include Princess Nobuko of Mikasa, Princess Akiko of Mikasa and Princess Yoko of Mikasa

Aiko, who is the only child of Nahurito and Masako, stood to their left during the ceremony, which takes place each year in Tokyo

Aiko is Nahurito’s only child. She stood at their side during the ceremony. It takes place every year in Tokyo. 

The imperial couple walk past Crown Prince Fumihito, Prince Akishino, right, and Princess Kako of Akishino, left, at the end of the ceremony

At the conclusion of the ceremony, the imperial couple walks past Crown Prince Fumihito and Prince Akishino (right), and Princess Kako from Akishino (left). 

Covid-19 made the ceremony smaller and more private than normal. It was Aiko’s first public appearance after being out of the limelight for most of her teenage and childhood years. 

The princess is little known. Her childhood was filled with bullying and anxiety that led to her dropping out from school.

Aiko was eight years old when it became clear that her hobbies included jumprope, calligraphy and poetry.

It was discovered that she learned to play both violin and piano.

She was however featured in the news in 2010 after her anxiety over other schoolboys’ ‘wild behavior’ revealed she was away from school for some time. 

Aiko took her spot at the event today

Wearing a face mask throughout the event in light of the coronavirus pandemic, Aiko, whose dress was adorned with the imperial sash, looked pensive

Aiko was wearing a coronavirus-related face mask all through the event. Her dress, which featured the imperial shash, made her look pensive.

In recent years, the women of the imperial household have been wearing less jewellery at the Shinnen Shukuga-no Gi New Year celebration ceremony

The Shinnen Shukuga-no Gi new year celebrations have seen a decrease in jewellery wear by the female members of the imperial family.

She was unable to attend the graduation ceremony at the end of the year and she also did not participate in the welcome ceremony for fellow third graders.

Her mother accompanied her to school, but she only attended three hours per day. She took the rest of the days off because she was suffering from a cold.

The Palace official said at the time that the princess was receiving private tuition even though she wasn’t attending school.

Only male heirs descended from a male emperor are eligible for the throne. The family currently has three male heirs: Crown Prince Akishino, Prince Hisahito and Prince Hitachi

The throne is only open to male heirs who descend from male emperors. Three male heirs are currently in the family: Prince Hisahito, Crown Prince Akishino, and Prince Hitachi

After suffering from persistently high temperatures of 102.2F for a year and having a severe cough, she was admitted to the hospital with pneumonia.

She returned to school and began playing cello in the school’s orchestra.

Aiko was again feared for her health in 2016 when she missed one month of school because of fatigue due to exam stress.

According to Palace officials, the teenager was suffering from stomach pains and dizziness. This could have been caused by studying for exams or training for an athletic event.

Images released by officials to commemorate her 15th Birthday caused concern across the country. They showed the royal looking weak in the photos.

In 2018, she traveled solo to Eton College for her first summer program.

Aiko studies Japanese literature now, and also takes additional courses in English or Spanish at Gakushuin university in Tokyo.

The university was attended by her grandfather, Emperor Emeritus Akihito, as well as her uncle Crown Prince Akishino.

A horse-rider since childhood, she is well-known for her passion for animals.

She is a dog walker with Yuri and has been raising silkworms since kindergarten.

The title of her high school paper, “Cats and Dogs in the Heian Period Through Literature” was what she wrote at graduation.

According to Japan Times, Aiko was described as hardworking in a statement released previously by the Imperial Household. She also said that she often turned to Empress Masako and her father for assistance with assignments.

She will be wearing a second-hand Tiara, first used by Sayako for the occasion.

Sayako was formerly Princess Sayako and was the sole sister of Emperor Naruhito.

She hasn’t worn the sparkling piece since 2005 when she was married to Yoshiki Kuroda (an urban planner who works for Tokyo).

The reception took place in front of a selected group of guests which was smaller than in previous years, due to the Coronavirus pandemic

A small group of people attended the reception, which was less than previous years due to Coronavirus pandemic. 

Aiko stood proudly to the left of her parents while the imperial household was greeted by their guests during the official ceremony

Aiko proudly stood to her left as her parents received the Imperial household during the official ceremony. 

Sayako was the current Supreme Priestess of the Ise Grand Shrine and lost her imperial status at her wedding due to a rule which strips imperial princesses from their titles if she marries commoners.

Sayako retains the tiara she made from funds taken from her father’s living expenses allowance and not paid for with public money.

According to The Court Jeweller however, the decision to loan the “hand-me-down” piece to Aiko was not unexpected after Aiko’s cousins got new jewels.

Lauren Kiehna, an American historian and royal expert, wrote that the Imperial Household Agency didn’t have money for a new Tiara or jewels during the pandemic.

After the ceremony, Emperor Nahurito, Empress Masako and Princess Aiko went to visit Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko at the Sento palace

After the ceremony, Emperor Nahurito, Empress Masako and Princess Aiko went to visit Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko at the Sento palace 

Aiko is having the tiara adjusted so that it fits her head better before the coming-of-age ceremonies. These will not include the traditional banquet due to the Covid crises.

Aiko isn’t in line for succession despite her being the Emperor’s sole child.

Aiko, however, will be handed over to her uncle Crown Prince Fumihito. His two oldest children Mako (and Kako) go to Prince Hisahito (15).

Only one man is allowed to vote under the current rules: Prince Hitachi, 85 year-old uncle of Emperor Hitachi.

The Japanese public seems ready for change, however. Kyodo News conducted a poll in October 2019, which revealed that 81.9 percent supported a ruling Empress.