World leaders and top dignitaries have begun arriving in Saudi Arabia to give their condolences following the death of King Abdullah, who died yesterday aged 90 after nearly two decades at the helm.

Japan's emperor Akihito underwent heart by-pass surgery today, intended to allow him to lead a healthier, more active life.

Japan’s Crown Prince Naruhito is seeking public understanding for his ailing wife, Crown Princess Masako, who is suffering from a stress-induced ailment.

Japan’s Empress Michiko has symptoms of intestinal bleeding, Kyodo News agency reported in Tokyo today.

Japan’s Princess Kiko has developed complications with her pregnancy and may have to give birth to her third child by Caesarean section, Kyodo News agency reported.

Wearing a simple white dress and pearls, Japan’s Princess Sayako bid farewell to palace life today to wed a Tokyo city employee in a low-key ceremony, marking the first time that an emperor’s daughter had married a 'commoner'.

THE Japanese royal family is set to change its succession laws to enable the three-year-old daughter of the current Crown Prince to become the first Empress for 200 years.

A PRINCE who is heir to the fabulous fortune of the oil-rich sultanate of Brunei married a 17-year-old half-Swiss commoner yesterday in Asia’s wedding of the year, attended by royalty and dignitaries from around the world.

JAPAN’S Crown Princess Masako, under intense pressure to produce a male heir, has been diagnosed by doctors as having an adjustment disorder, a psychological condition caused by stress.

Japan’s emperor was able to leave the hospital a week earlier than expected and return to the Imperial Palace today after a three-week stay to recover from cancer surgery.

Crown Princess Masako gave birth today to a baby girl and, as Japan celebrated, court messengers placed by its pillow the sword and deep purple robes of silk that are the symbols of its lofty position.