Japan’s former princess arrives in New York for life with commoner husband

Japan’s former princess Mako Komuro prepares to board the plane to New York (Eugene Hoshiko/AP)

A Japanese princess who gave up her royal status to marry her commoner college sweetheart has arrived in New York, as the couple pursue happiness as newlyweds and leave behind a nation that has criticised their romance.

The departure of Mako Komuro, the former Princess Mako, and Kei Komuro, both 30, was broadcast live by Japanese media, showing them boarding a plane amid a flurry of camera flashes at Haneda Airport in Tokyo.