By Elaine Lies

TOKYO, Reuters – Japanese Princess Mako, a former classmate at college, will wed her fiance on October 26th, authorities announced Friday. This announcement comes after many years of scrutiny and harsh criticisms that had cast Mako’s engagement as a negative one.

In 2017, the 29-year old niece of Emperor Naruhito got engaged to KeiKomuro, 29 in 2017. The two first captured the attention of the public by their smiles as they announced the engagement in a press conference.

Soon, tabloid stories about Komuro’s financial disputes with her mother and former fiance emerged. The marriage was delayed in 2018. Komuro left the country in August to go to law school. She didn’t come back until Monday.

At a press conference, the Imperial Household Agency (which manages the lives of royal families) announced the date.

According to Kyodo news agency, the princess also has a post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This is similar to Empress Masako’s situation. She has suffered from what was called an “adaptation disorder” for many years.

As is traditional, Mako will be leaving the royal family after her wedding. Media reports claim that Mako won’t be attending any of the usual ceremonies associated with a royal wedding and that the princess will forfeit a one-off payment for a million dollars, which is her right.

According to reports, the couple will marry at a local government agency. The records of Princess Mako’s imperial family will be adjusted so that it is recorded as their divorce.

A tabloid published claims that Komuro’s ex-fiancee had claimed Komuro was not repaying a $35,000. Komuro has said his mother’s former fiancé provided the money as a gift, not a loan.

This scandal quickly spread to tabloids and regular media, and was further exacerbated when members of the imperial family were asked to make statements. Komuro issued an extensive statement himself this year.

Komuro finished his studies at Fordham Law School and passed the bar exam to be able to practice law in this summer. According to media reports, he has been offered a position as a clerk at a U.S. law office.

For his third visit to Tokyo in three years, he flew late Monday night. His ponytail caused a lot of controversy on television and tabloids about his disrespectfulness.

The daily Mainichi poll showed that 38% of people supported the union, 35% disagreed, and 26% were not interested.