Ayako Moriya

, formerly , is a former member of the Imperial House of Japan and the youngest of three daughters of Norihito, Prince Takamado, and Hisako, Princess Takamado. She married Kei Moriya, a commoner, on 29 October 2018. As part of her marriage to a commoner, she gave up her imperial title and left the Japanese imperial family, as required by law.

Biography Childhood and studies

Princess Ayako was born on 15 September 1990 at the in Minami-Azabu, Tokyo. She was the first member of the Imperial Family to be born in the Heisei period, the era of her first cousin once removed, Emperor Akihito.

Princess Ayako attended the prestigious Gakushūin School for her primary, junior high, and high school education. While she was a student at Gakushūin Women's High School, in 2007, she visited New Zealand under a school-sponsored homestay program. In April 2009, she enrolled in the Josai International University (JIU), Faculty of Social Work Studies.

The Princess made short term visits to Camosun College in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, as part of exchange tours with Josai International University in 2010 and 2011. In March 2013, Princess Ayako graduated Josai International University and was accepted into the graduate school. She continues to attend ceremonies and functions at the palace when studies permit. The two were first introduced to each other in December 2017 by Ayako's mother, Princess Takamado, who has been a friend of Moriya's parents. The wedding took place on 29 October 2018 at Meiji Shrine. The wedding ceremony was held privately and featured Shinto rituals. The bride wore "a kimono robe and hakama pants", while the groom appeared in a morning suit and was given a top hat that had previously belonged to Ayako's father, Prince Takamado. A reception banquet also took place on 31 October at New Otani Hotel in Tokyo with the then Crown Prince and Crown Princess in attendance. The government decided to bestow a one-time ¥107 million ($950,000) allowance on the couple.

On 6 August 2019, it was announced that Ayako was expecting her first child in the autumn. On 17 November 2019, she gave birth to a son, Jō Moriya, at Aiiku Hospital in Tokyo. She gave birth to her second son on 1 September 2022, at Aiiku Hospital. On 10 May 2024, Ayako gave birth to her third son.

Titles and styles 15 September 1990 – 29 October 2018: Her Imperial Highness Princess Ayako of Takamado 29 October 2018 – present: Mrs. Kei Moriya

Ancestry