Japan's Princess Mako has formally announced her engagement to a commoner after receiving the emperor's approval.
This announcement kicks off a lengthy marriage process, and it also means the princess will lose her royal status.
Under a controversial Japanese law female imperial family members forfeit their status upon marriage to a commoner, whereas male members do not.
In a press conference on Sunday, she said she was first attracted to Kei Komuro's "smile like the sun".
The princess, the palace and the shrinking royal line
"I was aware since my childhood that I'll leave a royal status once I marry," Princess Mako said. "While I worked to help the emperor and fulfil duties as a royal family member as much as I can, I've been cherishing my own life."
The formal announcement came from Japan's Imperial Household Agency on Sunday, after local media reported news of the planned engagement in May.