Crown Prince Naruhito and Family: News & Photos 2

[Mandy]

Polfoto 04-09-2004 Japan's Crown Princess Masako smiles sitting next to his husband Crown Prince Naruhito in a car as they visit Imperial Palace in Tokyo to see Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko Saturday, Sept. 4, 2004. Masako, 40, who is recovering from a psychological disorder brought on by the pressure of royal life, left her residence for the first time in four months. (AP Photo/Japan Pool)

Masako looks really good!

[Alexandria]

It is great to see Masako for the first time in such a long time. She looks much better but still drained and tired in my opinion. It is nice however to see her smile.

[Martine]

yeh she still looks a little bit tired, but it's great to see her again after such a long time...

I hope that she'll recover from her depression soon, although it will take time...Let's hope that the things that caused the depression will change too...

[Alisa]

It is so wonderful to see her out! :)

[moosey60]

What? Who said that Aiko had developmental problems? She looks okay to me...

[Alexandria]

Originally Posted by moosey60

What? Who said that Aiko had developmental problems? She looks okay to me...

I am not saying that Princess Aiko does have developmental problems, but developmental problems are not necessarily evident physically. There can be learning, mental or psychological problems that do not surface physically but are undeniably still there.

[moosey60]

True, true, but it's sad that people are speculating about a two-year old. Maybe she's just a serious little kid. Aw, and rumours about little Aiko are sure to put a dampener on Masako's (perhaps slightly regained) happiness.

[Elspeth]

I thought the IHA was behind those rumours. Can't remember where I read it, though.

[California Girl]

This is a very sad situation. There is a large Japanese community in my city. Toyota and Honda have their North American headquarters here. When I have spoken to some of them, they are very sad about this situation. CP Masako is a well-educated and respected diplomat in her own right. You would think that the Royal Household would want to use that to their advantage! Instead, CP Masako and her husband, are placed in a situation that would have been typical of the Middle Ages in Europe! If only they would allow the young princess to be designated the heir and allow CP Masako the freedom to be herself again. Kudos to the Crown Prince for speaking up on her behalf. I do believe that he truly loves her deeply.

[julial]

Today was sunday in Tokyo so I went to see the imperial palace in the center of Tokyo-have not been there for ages. Well, though commoners only get to walk at the garden outside of the palace, I imagined Masako`s place inside of the guards watching eyes. Sure the palace lands must be vast beyond my imagination and I wished I could just peek in so I could say Hello to Masako, of course which is not possible. And I felt that though their houses are much bigger than the most of Japaneses, considering how restricted the royalties` outings were, it almost looked like a big cage-sure I could not get inside of the palace guards, but neither could Masako-she would not be free wondering to the streets of Tokyo. At least I am free to walk to whereever I want, and for some peculiar reasons, did not feel too much envy for the Crown Princess of my country. Indeed I admire her very much-and I guess the restriction of freedom is one thing one must swallow in order to be the future Empress, supposed to be the highest female position in my country.

[Lyonnaise]

OKUTAMAMACHI, JAPAN - SEPTEMBER 16: Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan enjoys the view from the top of 1,737-meter-high Takanosuyama Mountain September 16, 2004 in Okutamamachi, Japan.

[Alexandria]

First pic: Polfoto 24-09-2004 Japan's Crown Princess Masako plays with her daughter Princess Aiko at their residence, Togu Palace, in Tokyo in this May 2004 photo taken by an unidentified person. Imperial Household Agency released the photo Friday, Sept. 24, 2004 with a home video, taken by father Crown Prince Naruhito, of Princess Aiko offering an unusually intimate glimpse into the daily lives of Japan's cloistered royals. (AP Photo/Imperial Household Agency, HO)

Second pic: Polfoto 24-09-2004 Helped by Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako, their daughter Princess Aiko plants flowers at their residence, Togu Palace, in Tokyo in this June 2004 photo taken by an unidentified person. Imperial Household Agency released the photo Friday, Sept. 24, 2004 with a home video, taken by father Crown Prince Naruhito, of Princess Aiko offering an unusually intimate glimpse into the daily lives of Japan's cloistered royals. (AP Photo/Imperial Household Agency, HO)

Last 2 pics: Polfoto 24-09-2004 Crown Princess Masako and her daughter Princess Aiko wave to well-wishers as Crown Prince Naruhito looks on with a smile upon their arrival in Kuroiso, north of Tokyo, on their way to the resort of Nasu Friday, Sept. 24, 2004. The trip by Masako is part of her medical treatment, according to the Crown Prince's Household. (AP Photo/Kyodo News)

(Little Aiko is so grown up! She looks much older than little Elisabeth of Belgium, whom she was born just weeks apart from. Must be that very full and thick head of hair on Aiko that makes such a difference!)

[Alexandria]

Polfoto 24-09-2004 Princess Aiko plays in a sandbox at her residence, Togu Palace, in Tokyo in this August 2004 photo taken by an unidentified person. Imperial Household Agency released the photo Friday, Sept. 24, 2004 with a home video, taken by Crown Prince Naruhito, of his daughter Princess Aiko offering an unusually intimate glimpse into the daily lives of Japan's cloistered royals. (AP Photo/Imperial Household Agency, HO)

[Alexandria]

More recently released photos of Princess Aiko, courtesy of the Glittering Royal Events MB, originally from the Imperial Household Agency.


Part 1 of 2

[bluetortuga]

I can see that P Naruhito truly loves Masako, and is wlling to stand up for her in the face of criticism from the Imperial Court. Masako is lucky to have a husband like him! If only Diana had as much support from Charles.

[Alexandria]

More recently released photos of Princess Aiko, courtesy of the Glittering Royal Events MB, originally from the Imperial Household Agency.

Part 2 of 2

[Ianna]

Great photos! She's such a cute girl!

[Mandy]

Great pictures Alexandria. Aiko is an absolutely gorgeous child.

Here is a link to a video of Aiko from Netty's Royalty Page.

Aiko