Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko are currently on an official visit to Mexico. On Saturday, they traveled to Oaxaca where their itinerary included a tour of the archaeological site of Monte Albán. Princess Kiko wore a dark khaki casual hat with a ruched fabric band around the crown. It is not a particularly memorable hat on its own but paired with Kiko’s cropped pants (something we never see her wear), made for the most chic of travel ensembles.
Photos from EFE via 24 Horas
Amid rain showers of good luck, Princess Noriko of Takamado was married to Kunimaro Senge at the Izumo Taisha grand shrine in Shimane Prefecture yesterday. The smiling bride arrived at the shrine early yesterday morning in a mint green suit and a coordinating hat with flared brim and square crown wrapped in a large silk bow.
For the wedding ceremony, the 26-year old princess wore a traditional silk costume and a hairstyle that I can only imagine is steeped in symbolic tradition as well. (If anyone can provide further explanation, it would be most welcome).
I believe the only members of the Imperial family in attendance were the bride’s mother, Princess Hisako, and sisters, Princess Tsuguko, and Princess Ayako- all three women wore traditional kimonos, seen below.
According to Japanese law, Noriko lost her royal title and membership in the Imperial family with her marriage today and officially became “Mrs. Noriko Senge”. The Japan Times reports that the couple will host 300 friends and family at a wedding reception in Matsue on Monday, while Crown Prince Naruhito, Crown Princess Masako and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will be among the guests at a dinner party to be held at a Tokyo hotel on Wednesday.
Because this wedding ceremony is so different to those we’re used to seeing in the west, I am curious to hear your thoughts (and gently remind everyone to remain culturally respectful in your comments). I’m sure you all join me in wishing Noriko much happiness in her new life.
Photos from Sankei News; Jiji Press/Stringer via Getty; Kyodo via Japan Times; and Nikkei
Those of you following the Imperial Royal Family likely saw the bittersweet rituals performed by Princess Noriko of Takamado last week as she bids farewell to her royal life. Yesterday, Princess Noriko and her mother Princess Hisako left Tokyo and flew to Izumo where her wedding to Kunihiro Senge will take place tomorrow. For this trip (and what is likely Princess Noriko’s final appearance as a princess), Noriko topped her ruffled suit with a pale pink bumper hat trimmed with a spray of silk rosettes on the side. Princess Hisako wore a similar style hat in ice blue. While the hats and suits are not what one might consider cutting-edge style, I think the sentiments of this final appearance trump style today. They make a very sweet mother-daughter pair, don’t they?
In a thoughtful gesture of farewell, the Emperor and Empress sent the car usually reserved for them to take Princess Noriko to the airport.
Pop by tomorrow afternoon for coverage of Princess Noriko’s wedding!
Photos from The Imperial Family of Japan
Princess Hisako and Princess Noriko of Takamado visited Ise Jingu Grand Shrine in Ise City yesterday. This visit carried on the tradition of reporting Princess Noriko’s engagement to Amaterasu Omikami, the ancestor goddess of the Imperial Family. Princess Hisako wore an embellish cream bumper hat while Princess Noriko wore a cream hat with short brim, straight, domed crown and large bow on the side. Princess Hisako’s ensemble has a decidedly romantic, Victorian air to it, doesn’t it?
Photos from The Imperial Family of Japan
Yesterday, Princess Hisako of Takamado attended a memorial for the Kanto Great Earthquake which occurred September 1, 1923 and caused the deaths of over one hundred thousand people. To commemorate this tragedy, Princess Hisako wore a black veiled bumper hat.
Photo from The Imperial Family of Japan
Royal Hats 