Princess Mako (R), the eldest daughter of Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko, and her fiancee Kei Komuro (L), smile during a press conference to announce their engagement at the Akasaka East Residence in Tokyo on September 3, 2017.
Emperor Akihito's eldest granddaughter Princess Mako and her fiancé -- a commoner -- announced their engagement on September 3, which will cost the princess her royal status in a move that highlights the male-dominated nature of Japan's monarchy.
 / AFP PHOTO / POOL / Shizuo Kambayashi        (Photo credit should read SHIZUO KAMBAYASHI/AFP/Getty Images)