TOKYO, JAPAN - JANUARY 02: Princess Tsuguko of Takamado, Princess Hisako of Takamado, Princess Hanako of Hitachi, and Prince Hitachi attend the New Year's appearance by the Japanese royal family at the Imperial Palace on January 2, 2023 in Tokyo, Japan. The event was held for the first time in three years, following a hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic. Tomohiro Ohsumi/Pool via REUTERS 

TOKYO, JAPAN - JANUARY 02: (L-R) Princess Tsuguko of Takamado, Princess Hisako of Takamado, Princess Hanako of Hitachi, Prince Hitachi, Emperor Emeritus Akihito, Empress Emerita Michiko, Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako, Princess Aiko, Crown Prince Fumihito of Akishino, Crown Princess Kiko of Akishino, Princess Kako of Akishino, Princess Yuriko of Mikasa, Princess Nobuko of Mikasa and Princess Akiko of Mikasa during the New Year's appearance by the Japanese royal family at the Imperial Palace on January 2, 2023 in Tokyo, Japan. The event was held for the first time in three years, following a hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic. Tomohiro Ohsumi/Pool via REUTERS 

(Clockwise from top) Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, House of Representatives speaker Tadamori Oshima, House of Councillors speaker Chuichi Date, House of Representatives vice-speaker Hirotaka Akamatsu, House of Councillors vice-speaker Akira Gunji, Imperial Household Agency chief Shinichiro Yamamoto, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, Supreme Court judge Kiyoko Okabe, Supreme Court Chief Justice Itsuro Terada, Princess Hanako and Prince Hitachi attend a meeting of the Imperial Household Council to discuss the timeline for the abdication of Japan's Emperor Akihito at the Imperial Household Agency in Tokyo, Japan December 1, 2017. REUTERS/Toru Hanai 

(Clockwise from top) Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, House of Representatives speaker Tadamori Oshima, House of Councillors speaker Chuichi Date, House of Representatives vice-speaker Hirotaka Akamatsu, House of Councillors vice-speaker Akira Gunji, Imperial Household Agency chief Shinichiro Yamamoto, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, Supreme Court judge Kiyoko Okabe, Supreme Court Chief Justice Itsuro Terada, Princess Hanako and Prince Hitachi attend a meeting of the Imperial Household Council to discuss the timeline for the abdication of Japan's Emperor Akihito at the Imperial Household Agency in Tokyo, Japan December 1, 2017. REUTERS/Toru Hanai 

Japan's Prince Hitachi (R) and his wife Princess Hanako attend a meeting of the Imperial Household Council to discuss the timeline for the abdication of Japan's Emperor Akihito at the Imperial Household Agency in Tokyo, Japan December 1, 2017. REUTERS/Toru Hanai 

(Clockwise from top) Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, House of Representatives speaker Tadamori Oshima, House of Councillors speaker Chuichi Date, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, Princess Hanako and Prince Hitachi attend a meeting of the Imperial Household Council to discuss the timeline for the abdication of Japan's Emperor Akihito at the Imperial Household Agency in Tokyo, Japan December 1, 2017. REUTERS/Toru Hanai 

Japan's Crown Princess Masako sends off her husband Crown Prince Naruhito (not in the picture) as he leaves for Malaysia, at Togu Palace in Tokyo, Japan April 13, 2017. The person in wheelchair is Prince Hitachi. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Japan's Prince Hitachi (2nd R) and his wife Princess Hanako (L) attend a ceremony for Japan's unidentified war dead at Chidorigafuchi National Cemetery in Tokyo, Japan May 30, 2016. REUTERS/Issei Kato 

Japan's Prince and Princess Hitachi arrive for a reception for the Praemium Imperiale awards at Buckingham Palace in central London July 11, 2011. REUTERS/Yui Mok/Pool (BRITAIN - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT SOCIETY ROYALS) 

Britain's Queen Elizabeth (2nd R) and Prince Philip (R) greet Prince and Princess Hitachi during a reception for the Praemium Imperiale awards at Buckingham Palace in central London July 11, 2011. REUTERS/Yui Mok/Pool (BRITAIN - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT SOCIETY ROYALS) 

Japan's Princess Hitachi (L) and British actress Judi Dench attend the Japanese Award for the Arts the Praemium Imperiale, at a hotel in central London, July 11, 2011. Judi Dench was one of the artists awarded the prize. REUTERS/Andrew Winning (BRITAIN - Tags: ROYALS ENTERTAINMENT) 

Japan's Prince and Princess Hitachi (C) and British actress Judi Dench attend the Japanese Award for the Arts the Praemium Imperiale, at a hotel in central London, July 11, 2011. Judi Dench was one of the artists awarded the prize. REUTERS/Andrew Winning (BRITAIN - Tags: ROYALS ENTERTAINMENT) 

Japan's Princess Hitachi (L) and British actress Judi Dench attend the Japanese Award for the Arts the Praemium Imperiale, at a hotel in central London, July 11, 2011. Judi Dench was one of the artists awarded the prize. REUTERS/Andrew Winning (BRITAIN - Tags: ROYALS ENTERTAINMENT) 

(L-R) Prince Albert II of Monaco, Princess Hanako Hitachi of Japan and her husband Prince Masahito Hitachi visit the exhibition "Kyoto-Tokyo from Samurais to Mangas" at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco, July 13, 2010. REUTERS/Sebastien Nogier (MONACO - Tags: SOCIETY ROYALS) 

Prince Masahito Hitachi of Japan and his wife Princess Hanako Hitachi arrive at the exhibition "Kyoto-Tokyo from Samurais to Mangas" at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco, July 13, 2010. REUTERS/Sebastien Nogier (MONACO - Tags: SOCIETY ROYALS) 

Princess Hanako Hitachi of Japan attends the exhibition "Kyoto-Tokyo from Samurais to Mangas" at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco, July 13, 2010. REUTERS/Sebastien Nogier (MONACO - Tags: SOCIETY ROYALS PROFILE) 

(L-R)Prince Albert II of Monaco, Princess Hanako Hitachi of Japan, Prince Masahito Hitachi of Japan and Hiromu Ozawa, co-Curator, pose for photographers during the exhibition "Kyoto-Tokyo from Samurais to Mangas" at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco, July 13, 2010. REUTERS/Sebastien Nogier (MONACO - Tags: SOCIETY ROYALS) 

(L-R)Prince Masahito Hitachi of Japan, Prince Albert II of Monaco and Princess Hanako Hitachi of Japan attend the exhibition "Kyoto-Tokyo from Samurais to Mangas" at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco, July 13, 2010. REUTERS/Sebastien Nogier (MONACO - Tags: SOCIETY ROYALS) 

(L-R) Prince Masahito Hitachi of Japan, Prince Albert II of Monaco and Princess Hanako Hitachi of Japan cut the red ribbon at the exhibition "Kyoto-Tokyo from Samurais to Mangas" at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco, July 13, 2010. REUTERS/Sebastien Nogier (MONACO - Tags: SOCIETY ROYALS) 

(L-R) Prince Masahito Hitachi of Japan, Prince Albert II of Monaco and Princess Hanako Hitachi of Japan attend the exhibition "Kyoto-Tokyo from Samurais to Mangas" at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco, July 13, 2010. REUTERS/Sebastien Nogier (MONACO - Tags: SOCIETY ROYALS) 

Princess Hanako Hitachi of Japan attends the exhibition "Kyoto-Tokyo from Samurais to Mangas" at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco, July 13, 2010. REUTERS/Sebastien Nogier (MONACO - Tags: SOCIETY ROYALS) 

Prince Masahito Hitachi of Japan and his wife Princess Hanako Hitachi arrive at the exhibition "Kyoto-Tokyo from Samurais to Mangas" at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco, July 13, 2010. REUTERS/Sebastien Nogier (MONACO - Tags: SOCIETY ROYALS) 

Prince Masahito Hitachi of Japan and his wife Princess Hanako Hitachi arrive at the exhibition "Kyoto-Tokyo from Samurais to Mangas" at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco, July 13, 2010. REUTERS/Sebastien Nogier (MONACO - Tags: SOCIETY ROYALS) 

Prince Masahito Hitachi of Japan and his wife Princess Hanako Hitachi arrive at the exhibition "Kyoto-Tokyo from Samurais to Mangas" at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco, July 13, 2010. REUTERS/Sebastien Nogier (MONACO - Tags: SOCIETY ROYALS) 

Prince Masahito Hitachi of Japan (R) and his wife Princess Hanako Hitachi arrive to visit German President Horst Koehler and his wife Eva Luise at their presidential residence Bellevue castle in Berlin, September 25, 2009. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch (GERMANY POLITICS ROYALS) 

Prince Masahito Hitachi of Japan (L) and his wife Princess Hanako Hitachi arrive to visit German President Horst Koehler and his wife Eva Luise at their presidential residence Bellevue castle in Berlin, September 25, 2009. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch (GERMANY POLITICS ROYALS) 

Prince Masahito Hitachi of Japan (C) signs the guest book beside his wife Princess Hanako Hitachi (2ndL) as they visit German President Horst Koehler (R) and his wife Eva Luise (L) at their presidential residence Bellevue castle in Berlin, September 25, 2009. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch (GERMANY POLITICS) 

Japan's Prince Hitachi (L) and Princess Hanako attend a ceremony in Okinawa town, in eastern Santa Cruz June 17, 2009. The Japanese royal couple will visit Okinawa and San Juan, towns founded by Japanese migrants, and meet with Bolivian President Evo Morales during their visit. REUTERS/Daniel Caballero (BOLIVIA POLITICS ROYALS) 

Japan's Prince Hitachi sits in a car upon his arrival with Princess Hanako to Viru Viru airport in the eastern Santa Cruz, June 15, 2009. The Japanese royal couple will visit Okinawa and San Juan, towns founded by Japanese migrants, and meet with Bolivian President Evo Morales during their visit in Bolivia. REUTERS/Daniel Caballero (BOLIVIA POLITICS ROYALS) 

Japan's Princess Hanako (C) sits in her car upon her arrival with Prince Hitachi to Viru Viru airport in the eastern Santa Cruz, June 15, 2009. The Japanese royal couple will visit Okinawa and San Juan, towns founded by Japanese migrants, and meet with Bolivian President Evo Morales during their visit in Bolivia. REUTERS/Daniel Caballero (BOLIVIA POLITICS ROYALS) 

Japan's Princess Hanako holds her hat upon her arrival with Prince Hitachi to Viru Viru airport in the eastern Santa Cruz, June 15, 2009. The Japanese royal couple will visit Okinawa and San Juan, towns founded by Japanese migrants, and meet with Bolivian President Evo Morales during their visit in Bolivia. REUTERS/Daniel Caballero (BOLIVIA POLITICS ROYALS) 

Japan"s Prince Hitachi (R) and Princess Hanako wave upon their arrival to Viru Viru airport in the eastern Santa Cruz, June 15, 2009. The Japanese royal couple will visit Okinawa and San Juan, towns founded by Japanese migrants, and meet with Bolivian President Evo Morales during their visit in Bolivia. REUTERS/Stringer (BOLIVIA POLITICS ROYALS) 

Prince Masahito Hitachi of Japan smiles next to his wife Princess Hanako Hitachi during a ceremony as part of the activities to commemorate the 110th anniversary of Japanese Immigration to Peru, in Lima June 14, 2009. REUTERS/Enrique Castro-Mendivil (PERU ROYALS POLITICS) 

Prince Masahito Hitachi of Japan and his wife Princess Hanako Hitachi wave before a ceremony as part of the activities to commemorate the 110th anniversary of Japanese immigration to Peru, in Lima June 14, 2009. REUTERS/Enrique Castro-Mendivil (PERU POLITICS ROYALS) 

Prince Masahito Hitachi of Japan and his wife, Princess Hanako Hitachi, arrive for a ceremony in Lima June 13, 2009. REUTERS/Enrique Castro-Mendivil (PERU POLITICS ROYALS) 

Prince Masahito Hitachi of Japan and his wife Princess Hanako Hitachi wave before a ceremony at the Memorial for the 100th years of the Japanese Immigration to Peru, in Lima June 13, 2009. REUTERS/Enrique Castro-Mendivil (LIMA POLITICS ROYALS) 

Japan's Emperor Akihito (centre L) and Empress Michiko (centre R) wave to wellwishers with Crown Prince Naruhito (7th L) and Crown Princess Masako (6th L) and other royal family members during a public appearance for a New Year celebration at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo January 2, 2009. Royal family members are Princess Takamado (3rd L), her daughters Princess Noriko (L), Princess Tsuguko (L), Prince and Princess Hitachi (5th L and 4th L), Masako, Naruhito, Akihito, Michiko, Prince Akishino (4th R), his wife Princess Kiko (3rd R), Prince and Princess Mikasa (2nd R and R). REUTERS/Issei Kato (JAPAN) 

Japan's Emperor Akihito (8th L) and Empress Michiko (9th L) wave to well-wishers with Crown Prince Naruhito (7th L) and Crown Princess Masako (6th L) and other royal family members during a public appearance for a New Year celebration at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo January 2, 2009. Royal family members are Princess Takamado (3rd L), her daughters Princess Noriko (L), Princess Tsuguko (L), Prince and Princess Hitachi (5th L and 4th L), Masako, Naruhito, Akihito, Michiko, Prince Akishino (4th R), his wife Princess Kiko (3rd R), Prince and Princess Mikasa (2nd R and R). REUTERS/Issei Kato (JAPAN) 

Japan's Emperor Akihito (C) leads his imperial family, Empress Michiko (R), Prince Hitachi (2nd/R), Crown Prince Naruhito (3rd/R), Prince Akishino (2nd/L) and Princess Kiko (L) to greet guests during the autumn garden party in Tokyo October 27, 2005. About 1800 people were invited to the garden party hosted by the Emperor and Empress on Thursday. REUTERS/Toru Hanai 

Japan's Prince Masahito Hitachi (3rd L), accompanied by Princess Hanako (2nd L), greets Salvadoran children at an emergency shelter for flood evacuees in San Salvador October 7, 2005. Prince Hitachi donated $100,000.00 in aid to El Salvador to help some of the thousands of people who have had to leave their homes after torrential rains brought flooding and mudslides. REUTERS/Luis Gldamez 

Japan's Princess Hanako (R) holds a Salvadoran baby at a shelter for flood evacuees in San Salvador October 7, 2005. Prince Masahito Hitachi, Princess Hanako's husband, donated $100,000.00 in aid to El Salvador to help some of the thousands of people who have had to leave their homes after torrential rains brought flooding and mudslides. REUTERS/Luis Gldamez PP05100128 

Prince Masahito Hitachi of Japan (L) and his wife, Princess Hanako Hitachi, visit the National University (UNAM) in Managua October 5, 2005. Hitachi and his wife, Princess Hanako Hitachi, are visiting Nicaragua from October 2-5. The visit is timed to coincide with the commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nicaragua and Japan. REUTERS/Antonio Aragon. 

Nicaraguan President Enrique Bolanos (L) and Prince Masahito Hitachi of Japan meet at the Presidential House in Managua October 3, 2005. Hitachi and his wife, Princess Hanako Hitachi, are visiting Nicaragua from October 2-5. The visit is timed to coincide with the commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nicaragua and Japan. Picture taken October 3, 2005. REUTERS/Casa Presidencial/Handout 

Prince Masahito Hitachi of Japan looks through 3D glasses during his visit to Nicaraguan Institute Territorial Studies in Managua, October 3, 2005. Hitachi and his wife, princess Hanako Hitachi, are visiting Nicaragua from October 2 to 5. The visit is timed to coincide with the commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nicaragua and Japan. REUTERS/Oswaldo Rivas 

Prince Masahito Hitachi of Japan visits the Nicaraguan Institute Territorial Studies in Managua October 3, 2005. Hitachi and his wife, Princess Hanako Hitachi, are visiting Nicaragua from October 2-5. The visit is timed to coincide with the commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nicaragua and Japan. REUTERS/Oswaldo Rivas 

Prince Masahito Hitachi of Japan and his wife, princess Hanako Hitachi, visit the Nicaraguan Institute Territorial Studies in Managua October 3, 2005. Hitachi and his wife, are visiting Nicaragua from October 2-5. The visit is timed to coincide with the commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nicaragua and Japan. REUTERS/Oswaldo Rivas 

Japan's Prince Hitachi and Princess Massa leave the cathedral in Monte Carlo after the funeral of Prince Rainier III of Monaco, April 15, 2005. Prince Rainier, who died aged 81 and was [Europe's longest-serving monarch, will be buried alongside his late wife, U.S. film star Grace Kelly.] 

Japan's Prince Hitachi and Princess Massa leave the cathedral in Monte Carlo after the funeral of Prince Rainier III of Monaco, April 15, 2005. Prince Rainier, who died aged 81 and was Europe's longest-serving monarch, will be buried alongside his late wife, U.S. film star Grace Kelly. REUTERS/Jean Paul Pelissier JPP/CRB/TZ/JV 

Japan's Emperor Akihito (4th L), together with the royal family, waves to well-wishers during a New Year celebration at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo January 2, 2003. Emperor Akihito was diagnosed with prostate cancer during a recent medical checkup, the Imperial Household Agency said December 28, 2002. The Japanese royal family appears in public at the palace twice a year. From left to right, Princess Nori, Crown Princess Masako, Crown Prince Naruhito, Emperor Akihito, Empress Michiko, Prince Akishino, Prince and Princess Hitachi. 

Japan's Emperor Akihito (4th L), together with the royal family, waves
to well-wishers during a New Year celebration at the Imperial Palace in
Tokyo January 2, 2003. Emperor Akihito was diagnosed with prostate
cancer during a recent medical checkup, the Imperial Household Agency
said December 28, 2002. The Japanese royal family appears in public at
the palace twice a year. From left to right, Princess Nori, Crown
Princess Masako, Crown Prince Naruhito, Emperor Akihito, Empress
Michiko, Prince Akishino, Prince and Princess Hitachi. REUTERS/Issei
Kato

IK/RCS 

Belgian Princess Mathilde (L) shows Japanese Princess Hitachi her calligraphy work, which means "friend", during a visit to Onarimon primary school in Tokyo June 4, 2002. [Princess Mathilde, accompanying Crown Prince Phillipe, will tour Saitama, north of Tokyo, to watch Belgium play against Japan in the FIFA World Cup finals on Tuesday.] 

Belgian Princess Mathilde (L) shows Japanese Princess Hitachi her
calligraphy work, which means "friend", during a visit to Onarimon
primary school in Tokyo June 4, 2002. Princess Mathilde, accompanying
Crown Prince Phillipe, will tour Saitama, north of Tokyo, to watch
Belgium play against Japan in the FIFA World Cup finals on Tuesday.
REUTERS/Toshiyuki Aizawa

TA/PB 

Japan's Emperor Akihito (C) with the royal family, waves to well-wishers from a balcony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo during annual New Year celebrations with the public January 2, 2001. The Japanese royal family appears in public at the palace twice a year. L-R; Princess Mikasa, Prince Mikasa, Princess Nori, Crown Princess Masako, Crown Prince Naruhito, Emperor Akihito, Empress Michiko, Prince and Princess Akishino, Prince and Princess Hitachi, and Prince and Princess Takamado. 

Japan's Emperor Akihito (C) with the royal family, waves to well-wishers from a balcony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo during annual New Year celebrations with the public January 2, 2001. The Japanese royal family appears in public at the palace twice a year. L-R; Princess Mikasa, Prince Mikasa, Princess Nori, Crown Princess Masako, Crown Prince Naruhito, Emperor Akihito, Empress Michiko, Prince and Princess Akishino, Prince and Princess Hitachi, and Prince and Princess Takamado.

KM/CP 

Japanese imperial Prince and Princess Massa and Hanako Hitachi pose during a visit at the oceanographical museum of Monaco, March 25.[ Prince Hitachi, Japanese Emperor Aki Hito's brother and his wife are on a three-day visit in Monte Carlo. ]
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Japanese imperial Prince and Princess Massa and Hanako Hitachi pose during a visit at the oceanographical museum of Monaco, March 25. Prince Hitachi, Japanese Emperor Aki Hito's brother and his wife are on a three-day visit in Monte Carlo.

JES/CLH/ 

Japanese Princess Hanako Hitachi waves to photographers after have visited the tomb of unknown soldier in Athens March 19. Prince Masahito Hitachi and wife Hanako arrived in Athens for a five-day official visit, the first ever made by members of the Japanese imperial family.

YK/WS 

Japanese Prince Hitachi (L) and Princess Hanako observe the antique armour of a Japanese warrior during a visit at the National Arts Museum in Santiago, September 23. The couple is in Chile on an official four-day visit to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the diplomatic relationship between Japan and Chile.

JAPAN CHILE 

Prince Masahito (C) and Princess Honako Hitachi ( Center Right) of Japan, accompanied by unidentified clergy and translators, visit the ruins of a Catholic church built in 1579 in Antigua, Guatemala September 20. The Prince and Princess began a four-day good will visit to Guatemala on September 19.

GUATEMALA JAPAN 

Princess Hitachi (L) and Prince Hitachi of Japan pose for a photo with Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari aand his wife Eeva (R) at the presidential residence Mntyniemi in Helsinki September 20