In August 1957, Akihito met Michiko Shōda on a tennis court at Karuizawa near Nagano. Initially there was low enthusiasm for the relationship between the couple. Michiko Shōda was considered too low-born for the young Crown Prince and was educated in a Catholic environment. Therefore, in September 1958, she was sent away to Brussels to attend an international conference of the Alumnae du Sacré-Cœur.
The Imperial Household Council formally approved the engagement of the Crown Prince to Michiko Shōda on 27 November 1958.
It was the first time a commoner had married into the Imperial Family, breaking more than 2,600 years of tradition. The engagement ceremony took place on 14 January 1959, and the marriage on 10 April 1959.
Photos:
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More information:
https://royalwatcherblog.com/2017/04...f-japan/?amp=1