Japan's Princess Mako announces engagement

Princess Mako, granddaughter of Emperor, set to marry ex-classmate


Japan's Princess Mako has formally announced her engagement to a non-royal after receiving the emperor's approval.

This announcement kicks off a lengthy marriage process, and it also means the princess will lose her royal status.

Under a controversial Japanese law, female imperial family members forfeit their status upon marriage to a "commoner" whereas male members do not.

At a press conference, she said she was first attracted to Kei Komuro's "smile like the sun".