In a break from tradition, instead of having a new tiara made to mark the occasion, Princess Aiko will use her aunt’s tiara at her coming-of-age ceremony.
On December 1, Princess Aiko, the daughter of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, will turn 20 years old—the official age of adulthood in Japan. So as not to affect her studies, a celebratory ceremony will be held on December 5, a Sunday, to mark her coming of age.
There is an imperial family tradition that when princesses turn 20, they receive a new tiara. In this case, however, while many Japanese people are struggling amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Princess Aiko will instead borrow the tiara of her aunt, Kuroda Sayako, the emperor’s younger sister, who left the imperial family when she got married in November 2005.
Japanese princesses wear their tiaras at the most important official occasions, such as rituals and banquets. When Emperor Naruhito ascended to the throne on May 1, 2019, Empress Masako wore a tiara that has been passed down from former empresses.
Source: テレ東BIZ
