NAMES IN THE NEWS : Prince to Wed College Sweetheart
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TOKYO — Officials today said Prince Aya, second in line to the throne, will take as his bride a college student whose humble background has earned her the nickname “Apartment Princess.”
The announcement by the Imperial Household Council came a day after Kiko Kawashimashe celebrated her 23rd birthday with the prince, the emperor and empress at Akasaka Palace.
Prince Aya’s choice of his college sweetheart, who has no noble background and whose family is well off but not wealthy, has caused a stir among some palace conservatives.
“It will be hard for her because she is the closest person to the general public ever to marry into the royal family,” said one palace source.
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