The Royal Fanzine

Emperor Emeritus Akihito of Japan was born 23 December 1923 as the eldest son and fifth child of Emperor Hirohito (the Showa Emperor) and Empress Kōjun { Source }. He had 5 sisters and one brother{ Source }: Shigeko, Princess Teru (1925-1961) Morihiro Higashikuni Prince Nobuhiko Higashikuni (1945) Yoshiko Shimada (m. 1973) Yukihiko Higashikuni (1974) Princess Fumiko Higashikuni (1946) Mr. Kazutoshi Omura Hidehiko Higashikuni (1949) Naohiko Higashikuni (1953) Kazuko Sato Teruhiko Mutsuhiko Yūko Higashikuni (1954) Princess Hisa of Japan (1927-1928) Princess Taka of Japan (1929-1989) Princess Yori of Japan (1931) Prince Hitachhi of Japan (1935) Princess Suga of Japan (1937) He was known as Prince Tsugu as a child (like his granddaughter is Princess Toshi today){ Source }. He was educated primarily by private tutors before attending Gakushūin School from 1940-1952{ Source }.He briefly studied Political Science at Gakushuin University, but never received a degree{ Source }. He has written ...

Princess Akiko of Mikasa was born 20 December 1981 as the elder of two daughters of Prince Tomohito of Mikasa and Princess  Tomohito (Nobuko) of Mikasa. She has one younger sister: Princess Yōko of Mikasa (1983) Princess Akiko was educated in Japan. She graduated from Gakushuin University with a degree in history. During her university years, she also studied abroad at Merton College at Oxford University, where she focused on Japanese Art History { Source }. In 2004, she returned to Oxford as a doctoral student at the Faculty of Oriental Studies, earning a dPhill in January 2010 { Source }. Princess Akiko has undertaken her fair share of royal apperances since becoming of age in 2001. She has undertaken several trips to Turkey. In 1998, she visited Turkey    to view the remains of Kaman Kalehoyuk, arranged by the Middle Eastern Culture Center in Japan, on behalf of her father's honorary presidency of the    organization  and visited many heritage sites...

Princess Aiko of Japan, The Princess Toshi was born 1 December 2001, the only child to the Japanese Emperor and his wife{ Source }. In a break of tradition, rather than her name being chosen by the emperor, her name was chosen by her parents which was Aiko and is written with kanji character for "love (愛)" and "child (子)". her name means "a person who loves others." She also has an imperial title, Princess Toshi (敬宮 toshi-no-miya) which means "a person who respects others." This formal title will be dropped if she marries a commoner. The Imperial Household Law of 1947 abolished the Japanese nobility; and under provisions of this law, the imperial family was streamlined to the descendants of Emperor Taishō. The laws of succession in Japan exclude females or males through a female line; if the laws were changed, Aiko would be second in line to the Chrysanthemum Throne.When she was born, it was debated whether or not the laws should change, however...

Crown Prince Fumihito of Japan, Prince Akishino was born 30 November 1965, the second son of Emperor Emeritus Akhito & Empress Emerita Michiko of Japan { Source }. The Prince has two siblings, two siblings-in-law, and niece { Source }: Emperor Naruhito (1960) Empress Masako (m. 1993) Princess Aiko, Princess Toshi (2001) Princess Sayako, Mrs. Yoshiki Kuroda (1969) Yoshiki Kuroda (m. 2005) Like his siblings education, his is also extensive. He holds a Political Studies degree from Gakushuin University{ Source }. After that, he moved to England to study at the University of Oxford for two years { Source }. In 1996, he received his PhD from the National University for General Research{ Source }. The younger brother of the emperor and 1st in line for the Japanese Imperial Crown holds many honorary positions. Some of these positions include { Source }: Imperial House Council (Reserve Member) Yamashina Institute for Ornithology(President) Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums ...

 Prince Masahito of Japan,  The Prince Hitachi  was born 28 November 1935 as the younger brother of Emperor Emeritius Akihito and second to youngest child of Emperor Hirohito and Empress Kōjun. He had 5 sisters and one brother{ Source }: Shigeko, Princess Teru (1925-1961) Morihiro Higashikuni Prince Nobuhiko Higashikuni (1945) Yoshiko Shimada (m. 1973) Yukihiko Higashikuni (1974) Princess Fumiko Higashikuni (1946) Mr. Kazutoshi Omura Hidehiko Higashikuni (1949) Naohiko Higashikuni (1953) Kazuko Sato Teruhiko Mutsuhiko Yūko Higashikuni (1954) Princess Hisa of Japan (1927-1928) Princess Taka of Japan (1929-1989) Toshimichi Takatsukasa(m. 1955) Naotake Takatsukasa (adopted) Princess Yori of Japan (1931) Takamasa Ikeda (m. 1952) Princess Suga of Japan (1937) Hisanaga Shimazu (1934, m. 1960) Yoshihisa Shimazu (1962) He began his education in Japan, attending Gakushūin Peers' School. When he was just 9 years old, he and his brother were evacuated to avoid the bombing...

Austria -Archduchess Katharina, Princess von Isenborg  celebrated her 49th birthday on Wednesday. -Count  Constantin de Limburg-Stirum  celebrated his 7th birthday on Sunday. Belgium -King Albert II, Queen Paola & Princess Delphine  held an informal meeting on Sunday { Photo } -King Philippe  held a digital audience with  the Executive Director of Toulouse School of Economics on Thursday { Photos } -Queen Mathilde  visited the charit y Accueil et Partage on Thursday { Photos }. On Friday, the Belgian born Queen consort visited the exhibition Memling Now: Hans Memling in Contemporary Art   at the Sint-Janshospitaal { Source }{ Photos } -Princess  Élisabeth , The Duchess of Brabant  celebrated her 19th birthday on Sunday. -Prince Laurent  celebrated his 57th birthday on Monday. Bhutan -Prince Jigyel Ugyen Wangchuck undertook an official visit to Kuwait on Monday and Tuesday { Photos } Denmark -Queen Margrethe II   atten...

Princess Yōko of Mikasa  was born 25 October 1983 as  the second daughter of  Prince Tomohito of Mikasa  and Nobuko,  Princess Tomohito of Mikasa{Source}. She has an older sister{Source}: Princess Akiko of Mikasa (1981) Like many of the Japanese Imperial Household, she attended  Gakushūin School for her primary, junior high, and high school education. She studied at  Gakushūin Women's College, earning a bachelor's degree in Japanese Studies.  She reached Japanese Age of Majority in October 2003, and began attending official ceremonies. Upon completing her education, she began active volunteer efforts. From December 2006-November 2012, she was an active member of the Japanese Red Cross Society{ Source }. She was named patron of the International Association for Universal Design (IAUD) in August 2013, a postition which was formerally held by her father{ Source }.  In November 2013, she attended the 10th anniversary of IAUD's Foundation in...

Princess Mako of Akishino was born 23 October 1991 as the eldest child of Crown Prince Fumihito, Prince Akishino & Crown Princess Kiko, Princess Akishino { Source }. She has two younger siblings{ Source }: Princess Kako of Akishino (1994) Prince Hisahito of Akishino (2006) She is the eldest granddaughter of the current Emperor and Empress of Japan. She spent her educational years in Japan, Ireland and Scotland. She attended to her primary education at Gakushuin School. In August 2006, she spent two weeks in Austria during a school-sponsored homestay program during her summer holidays { Source }. In 2010, she attended University College Dublin, studying English { Source }. In 2012, she moved to Scotland, where she studied at the University of Edinburgh { Source }. In March 2014, she graduated with a degree in Art and Cultural Heritage from the International Christian University { Source }. She returned to the United Kingdom to study at the University of Leicester to obtain a gradu...

Empress Emerita Michiko of Japan was born Michiko Shoda on 20 October 1934 as the eldest daughter of Hidesaburo Shoda { Source }. She attended Futaba Elementary School { Source }. In her senior year, she was elected, upon nomination by her classmates, president of the student government{ Source }. Many of her classmates recall that, though very reserved, she won full cooperation from her fellow students and helped to introduce a harmonious spirit into University life{ Source }. She graduated with a degree in Foreign languages and literature from University of the Sacred Heart in 1957, where she was valedictorian { Source }. She is honorary president of the Japanese Red Cross Society { Source }. She was engaged to then- Crown Prince Akihito in 1958. Her marriage was approved by Imperial House Council on 27 November 1958 { Source }. Her engagement ceremony took place on 14 January 1959 { Source }. Her wedding took place on 10 April 1959 { Source }. Her children, grandchildren and child...

Prince Hisahito of Akishino was born 6 September 2006 as the youngest child and only son of the Crown Prince of Japan and Princess Akishino { Source }. He has two older sisters: Princess Mako of Akishino (1991) Kei Komuro (expected marriage in 2020 or 2021) { Source } Princess Kako of Akishino (1994) His personal name Hisahito in this case means "serene and virtuous," according to the Imperial Household Agency. An alternative translation is "virtuous, calm, everlasting." His name was chosen by his father, and the Imperial crest used to mark his belongings is koyamaki (Japanese Umbrella-pine) tree. He attended Ochanomizu University Elementary School{ Source }. As of 2019, he began attending Ochanomizu University Junior High School { Source } He was the first male child born to the Imperial House of Japan since his father in 1965. In January 2007, the then Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzō Abe, announced that he would drop an earlier proposal to alter the Imperial Hous...

Hanako, Princess Hitachi  was born 19 July 1940 as the fourth daughter of Count Yoshitaka Tsugaru and Hisako Mōri. Growing up as part of Japanese Aristrocracy on both her mother and father's sides of the family, she attended the school of Royals: Gakushūin School. Upon receiving her diploma, she    Gakushūin Women's Junior College, obtaining her degree from there in 1961.  She met her husband-to-be, Masahito, Prince Hitachi, while studying at Gakushūin. Their engagement was announced in April 1964, and they were married a few months later, in  September. They have no children. Princess Hitachi, like her husband, was elected on 5 September 2007 by the other members of the imperial family to be one of their main representatives (there are two in total) to the Imperial Household Council as a member in 2007. The current council members and reserve members were relected in 2011 { Source }. In 2017, the Princess was diagnosed with lumbar spondylosis...

Sayako Kuroda previously HIH The Princess Nori was born 18 April 1969 as the only daughter of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko{ Source }. She has two brothers, two sisters-in-law and three nieces and a nephew{ Source }: Emperor Naruhito of Japan (1960) Empress Masako of Japan (1963) Princess Aiko, Princess Toshi (2001) Prince Fumihito of Akishino (1965) Princess Kiko of Akishino (1966) Princess Mako of Akishino (1991) Princess Kako of Akishino (1994) Prince Hisahito of Akishino (2006) She married a commoner in 2005, thus giving up her Imperial status as required by law. For her education, she studied Japanese Language and Literature at Gakushuin University, graduating in 1992. Later that same year, she became a research associate at the Yamashina Institute for Ornithology, where she specialized in the study of kingfishers. A few years later, in 1998, she was promoted to researcher at the same institute, where she has continued her research and submitted various...

Nobuko, Princess Tomohito of Mikasa  was born on 9 April 1955 as   Nobuko Aso and was the youngest daughter of Takakichi Aso and Kazuko Yoshida { Source }. She has an older brother, Tarō Asō (1940) Chikako Asō (m 1983?) Masahiro Asō (1984) Ayako Asō (1987) Jiro  Asō (unknown) Setsuko Soma (unknown) Kazutane Soma (m. unknown) She was educated in England. She attended Rosslyn House College, earning a degree in 1973{ Source }. Her engagement was officially announced on 18 April 1980 to Prince Tomohito of Mikasa, with the official engagement ceremony taking place a month later in May 1980 { Source }. The pair were wed on 7 November 1980. Together, they have two daughters{ Source }: Princess Akikoof Mikasa (1981) Princess Yōko of Mikasa (1983) She holds several honorary postitions. Some of which include{ Source }: President of the Tokyo Jikeikai Honorary President of the Japan Rose Society Honorary Vice-President of the Japanese Re...

Emperor Naruhito of Japan was born 23 February 1960 as the eldest son of the then Crown Princely couple { Source }. During his childhood years, he was known as Prince Hiro-no-Miya { Source }. He was invested as Japan's Crown Prince on 23 February 1991, eleven years after his Coming of Age ceremony in 1980{ Source }. Today he serves as honorary vice president to the Japanese Red Cross and Honorary President of the United Nations Secretary-General's Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation{ Source }. Like most of the Japanese Imperial Family, his educational background is extensive. He graduated from Gakushuin University with a degree in History { Source }. From 1983-1985, he studied at Merton College, University of Oxford{ Source }. In 1988, he returned to Gakushuin to pursue a doctorate degree in Humanities, but never finished{ Source }. In 1992, he became a guest researcher for the archives of Gakushuin{ Source }. His engagement was formally announced by the Imperial House Counc...

Princess Kako of Akishino was born 29 December 1994 as the second daughter of Crown Prince Fumihito of Japan, Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko of Japan, Princess Akishino { Source }. She has an older sister and a younger brother, as well as a soon-to-be brother-in-law{ Source }: Princess Mako of Akishino (1991) Kei Komuro (expected marriage 2020) { Source }{ Source } Prince Hisahito of Akishino (2006) She has been educated in Japan and Ireland. She began her education at Gakushuin Primary School from 2001-2007. She began attending Gakushūin Girls' High School in 2007, graduating in 2012. In 2012, she attended Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland. In 2013, she attended the entrance ceremony of Gakushūin University. In August 2014, she transferred to International Christian University. On 2 April 2015, she attended the entrance ceremony for International Christian University{ Source }. Most recently, she followed her big sister to the United Kingdom to study at The U...

Emperor Emeritus Akihito of Japan was born 23 December 1923 as the eldest son and fifth child of Emperor Hirohito (the Showa Emperor) and Empress Kōjun { Source }. He had 5 sisters and one brother{ Source }: Shigeko, Princess Teru (1925-1961) Morihiro Higashikuni Prince Nobuhiko Higashikuni (1945) Yoshiko Shimada (m. 1973) Yukihiko Higashikuni (1974) Princess Fumiko Higashikuni (1946) Mr. Kazutoshi Omura Hidehiko Higashikuni (1949) Naohiko Higashikuni (1953) Kazuko Sato Teruhiko Mutsuhiko Yūko Higashikuni (1954) Princess Hisa of Japan (1927-1928) Princess Taka of Japan (1929-1989) Princess Yori of Japan (1931) Prince Hitachhi of Japan (1935) Princess Suga of Japan (1937) He was known as Prince Tsugu as a child (like his granddaughter is Princess Toshi today){ Source }. He was educated primarily by private tutors before attending Gakushūin School from 1940-1952{ Source }.He briefly studied Political Science at Gakushuin University, but never received a de...

Empress Masako of Japan was born 9 December 1963, the eldest child of of Hisashi Owada, a senior diplomat, and former President of the International Court of Justice. She has two younger sisters, twins named Setsuko and Reiko{ Source }. When she was just two years old, she moved to Moscow, Russia, where she completed her early education{ Source }. Upon the family's return to Japan, she was enrolled in a private girls' school in Tokyo, Denenchofu Futaba, which she attended until her second year of high school{ Source }. She and her family then moved to the suburbs of Boston, Massachusetts, in the United States while her father acted as a Vice Ambassador to the US for Japan and was a guest professor at Harvard{ Source }. She graduated from Belmont High School in 1981, where she had been involved with the National Honor Society{ Source }. She then enrolled in Radcliffe College{ Source }. She obtained a A.B. magna cum laude in Economics from Harvard College{ Source }. She atten...

Princess Aiko of Japan, The Princess Toshi was born 1 December 2001, the only child to the Japanese Emperor  and his wife{ Source }. In a break of tradition, rather than her name being chosen by the emperor, her name was chosen by her parents which was Aiko and is written with kanji character for "love (愛)" and "child (子)". her name means "a person who loves others." She also has an imperial title, Princess Toshi (敬宮 toshi-no-miya) which means "a person who respects others."This formal title will be dropped if she marries a commoner. The Imperial Household Law of 1947 abolished the Japanese nobility; and under provisions of this law, the imperial family was streamlined to the descendants of Emperor Taishō. The laws of succession in Japan exclude females or males through a female line; if the laws were changed, Aiko would be second in line to the Chrysanthemum Throne.When she was born, it was debated whether or not the laws should change, however,...