Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako Current Events Pt 4: Jan - Dec 2008

[Mermaid1962]

Mother-and-daughter outfits. Adorable!

Originally Posted by emma93

New picture of Crown Prince's family to celebrated Princess Aiko's 7th birthday
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO LITTLE PRINCESS AIKO
Japan's Royal Family - Yahoo! News Photos
http://www.hokkaido-np.co.jp/news/so...age/0380_1.jpg
http://sankei.jp.msn.com/photos/cult...0901002-p1.jpg
They seem so happy
Countdown to Princess Masako's birthday

[Mermaid1962]

I agree. Masako might still have a long way to go, but hopefully the fact that she's able to make some public appearances will quieten the critics a bit.

Originally Posted by seiko

I have heard of negative media coverage in Japan on CP Masako- what some people dont understand is, people who have mental disorder can come across "fine", around their friends and family..., but they find it difficult to cope when they are put under pressure or alot of stress. I had few patients who seemed absolutely, completely well when I saw them at hospital where I work (yeah I'm a nurse) when in fact they werent fine at all and they were on strong medication.

[LadyFinn]

Photos from Aiko´s birthday
Daylife

[Al_bina]

Thanks for the photos!
Crown Princely couple looks truly happy.It is a real pleasure to see an increase in Crown Princess Masako's public appearances as the latter might indicate a progress in treatment.

[ANNIE_S]

Originally Posted by LadyFinn

Photos from Aiko´s birthday
Daylife

Beautiful pics, LadyFinn!!
Thank you

[ANNIE_S]

Pictures from Hello!
HELLO! Photo gallery – Latest celebrity photos - hellomagazine.com, HELLO!

[ChiaraC]

Originally Posted by emma93

I found it on Youtube

How very nice: in this film they show the reception for princess Elena (the horse show) at which Naruhito met Masako for the first time and fell in love with her. Of course, we do not get to see Masako, only Naruhito and Elena, but at the end we see pictures of the result of the meeting (years later): the marriage.

Maybe, mermaid, you are right by saying: "hopefully the fact that she's able to make some public appearances will quieten the critics a bit" and this is showing us that those criticizing Masako are losing power - you do not broadcast romantic pictures of a marriage´s origin if you are expecting a divorce to take place soon...

[seiko]

I love her green suit she's wearing.....how elegant.

They do look so good together, dont they....I liked what Masako sama said once when asked by reporters if her and her husband ever argue. She said that their pet dogs "pick up the seed of our argument and eat it"= straight translation meaning they do argue sometimes but having dogs around them seem to help when they are feeling a bit tense!

[ChiaraC]

Originally Posted by Al_bina

It remains to be seen whether the divorce rumours are true. It is quite possible that the IHA may surprise us.

What do you mean by that, Albina? Do you mean they could force them to divorce even if they do not want?

Well, maybe they could "technically" do so but if they did they could never be sure that the crown prince would not tell the whole world on his next press conference what they have done. And he is the future emperor, they could keep him from giving press conferences for a certain time but not for his whole life. Of course, it is something that you "don´t do" in Japan to tell such a thing to the public as it would create a very big scandal indeed. But we all have seen already that fear of scandal does not necessarily silence the crown prince when driven to extremities. I think they could not risk that.

[Al_bina]

I am not saying that the IHA is sure to force the couple to divorce. However, the IHA is capable of ruining this marriage by asking Crown Princess Masako to step down for the sake of Crown Prince Naruhito and the Imperial family. On a brighter side... the heir crisis has been resolved ... Crown Princess Masako has been allowed to increase her public appearances. The overall sitaution seems to be improving. Additionally, Crown Prince Naruhito is a loyal husband, who deeply loves his wife and does not shy away from publicly defending his family.

[ChiaraC]

I see, thank you!
Seems to me a good sign, too, that his brother says they love to meet. I do not believe it but it is a good sign...

[kimebear]

This concludes Part 4. Part 5 can be found here:

Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako Current Events Part 5: December 2008