A Story of Cinderella Backwards, How a Japanese Princess Married Her Sweetheart and Now Works at an NYC Museum

The love of Japanese Princess Mako cannot be measured by money — not even the $1.3 million payment that she declined and the royal title she gave up when she married her sweetheart, Kei Komuro. And then, the devoted wife went even further — she moved, with her husband, to the place where he works and was brave enough to start a whole new life, this time, without a single attribute of royalty.

Here at Bright Side, we want to tell you Mako’s story, which can be perceived as a tale about Cinderella, only backward. But it doesn’t mean the happy ending is not there, so let’s find out more together.

The love story of Mako and Kei seems to beat all romantic odds.

Mako was a member of a Japanese imperial family, as she’s the eldest child of the Crown Prince and Princess, niece of Emperor Naruhito, and granddaughter of Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko. Kei is a commoner, a paralegal, and a child raised only by his mother on her hard-earned money.

The couple started dating while studying at the same university and have been inseparable ever since. In her interview, Mako talked about her first meeting with her beloved: “First I was attracted by his bright smile like the sun.” So, it really was love at first sight!

The couple’s relationship went through really tough stages and sacrifice.

In October 2021, the sweet duo finally tied the knot. But before that, the couple faced tremendous public backlash in the media, and it was a big challenge for Mako to get through all of it. They even had to postpone their wedding right after announcing it but never veered off their course.

Despite all the controversy surrounding their relationship, Mako and Kei have been each other’s biggest supporters, even in the public eye. The princess gave up her royal titles to marry her sweetheart. The couple also turned down the $1.3 million paid to women who lose their royal status when they marry. Mako was actually the first woman ever to refuse this payment.

Now the former princess enjoys the life of a commoner together with her husband.

After their wedding, the couple arrived in New York, where Kei had been working as a law firm clerk. They rent a one-bedroom flat near Central Park and wear casual outfits.

6 months after arriving in New York City, the former princess landed a job at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. She is working without pay and is assisting the museum’s Asian art department. Mako received high praise from a former Met curator, who said that she’s a diligent and qualified employee and spends a lot of her time in the library.

What would you do if you were in the former princess’s shoes? Would you also follow the love of your life and live a life of a commoner together with your husband?