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The Crown Princess has been keeping a low profile for the past
decade due to suffering with stress related illnesses. The Imperial
Household Agency confirmed that Masako accompanied her husband,
Crown Prince Naruhito, at a banquet for King Willem-Alexander and
Queen Maxima of the Netherlands.
Officials at the palace said it was her first appearance at an
imperial banquet since she attended one for the Mexican president
in 2003.
The 50-year-old became ill soon after giving birth to the couple’s
daughter, Aiko, and largely withdrew from official duties.
Princess Masako and the family did travel to the Netherlands last
year to attend the king’s inauguration in what was seen as a sign
of her recovery.
Around 160 guests attended the banquet including other royals and
political leaders such as the Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo
Abe.
Earlier on in the day, Masako was at a welcoming ceremony for the
King and Queen. Masako was seen greeting Queen Maxima, both wearing
orange, the Dutch national colour. The event was hosted by Emperor
Akihito and Empress Michiko.
The Princess has suffered with health issues since marrying into
the Imperial Family in 1993. She reportedly turned down Crown
Prince Naruhito’s marriage proposal twice, because she feared that
her life would be too constricting.
Many blame her ill-health on the pressure to produce a male heir to
the Chrysanthemum Throne as the royal family went through a
succession crisis.
However, in 2006, Crown Prince Naruhito’s brother, Prince Akishino,
and his wife had a son which ended the crisis.
Photo credit: kristisan via photopin
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