5 Shocking Ways Former Princess Mako’s Life Has Changed In New York City (Latest 2024 Update)

Former Princess Mako of Japan, now Mako Komuro, has successfully traded the suffocating formalities of the Chrysanthemum Throne for a life of relative anonymity in the bustling heart of New York City, a journey that continues to captivate the world. As of late 2024, the couple has quietly achieved significant milestones, cementing their status as private citizens and demonstrating a fierce commitment to building their own American dream, far removed from the relentless scrutiny of the Japanese public and media.

The latest updates—including a major, life-changing personal announcement and a significant career step for her husband—confirm that Mako and Kei Komuro are thriving in their new environment, proving their controversial decision to marry and leave the Imperial Family was a choice for happiness and independence. The following is a deep dive into the shocking reality of their commoner life in the US, featuring the most current information available.

Mako Komuro: Full Biography and Profile

Mako Komuro, formerly Princess Mako of Akishino, is a Japanese art historian who gave up her royal title and a substantial dowry to marry her college sweetheart, Kei Komuro, a commoner. Their controversial union and subsequent move to the United States marked a seismic shift in the history of the Japanese Imperial Family.

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• Full Name: Mako Komuro (formerly Princess Mako of Akishino)
• Date of Birth: October 23, 1991
• Parents: Fumihito, Crown Prince Akishino, and Kiko, Crown Princess Akishino
• Siblings: Princess Kako of Akishino and Prince Hisahito of Akishino
• Former Title: Princess Mako of Akishino (眞子内親王, Mako Naishinnō)
• Education: International Christian University (B.A.), University of Edinburgh (studied art history), University of Leicester (M.A. in Art Museum and Gallery Studies)
• Husband: Kei Komuro (m. October 26, 2021)
• Current Residence: New York City, USA
• Primary Occupation: Art historian, Curator/Volunteer at the Metropolitan Museum of Art
• Renunciation of Title: October 26, 2021, upon marriage to a commoner, as mandated by the Imperial House Law.

The 5 Most Significant Updates on Mako and Kei Komuro's New York Life

Since their arrival in New York in November 2021, the Komuros have successfully navigated the transition from royal life to commoner life, managing to maintain a low profile despite intense global interest. Their current life in the city is defined by professional achievements and a momentous personal milestone.

1. Kei Komuro’s Legal Career is Officially Established

One of the biggest hurdles and sources of media scrutiny for the couple was Kei Komuro's repeated attempts to pass the New York State Bar Examination. The latest updates confirm that Mr. Komuro successfully passed the exam and has been officially registered as a lawyer in the state of New York.

He is currently working as an Associate at the prominent law firm Lowenstein Sandler, based in New York City, specializing in global trade and national security. This career stability is a major turning point, not only validating his decision to study law in the US but also securing the couple’s financial independence, a key element of their new life as commoners. The focus on a stable, high-level career in international law shows their long-term commitment to their life in the United States.

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2. Mako Komuro is Working at The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Leveraging her extensive academic background in art history and museum studies, Mako Komuro has found a professional niche that respects her privacy while utilizing her expertise. She is reportedly working at the world-renowned Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met) in a curatorial capacity.

Sources indicate that she is assisting curators in the Asian art department, specifically helping to prepare for an exhibition focused on Japanese hanging scrolls. While some reports suggest her role is voluntary, it is a highly specialized and respected position that allows her to contribute to the art world and maintain a quiet, professional routine, a stark contrast to her previous life of ceremonial duties.

3. They Have Welcomed Their First Child (A Major 2024 Milestone)

The most significant and joyous update in their private life is the news that Mako and Kei Komuro have welcomed their first child. This monumental personal milestone, reportedly announced by Japan’s Imperial Household Agency in May 2024, confirms the couple is fully embracing the next chapter of their family life in New York.

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The birth was handled with the same discretion they have maintained since moving to the US, ensuring maximum privacy for the new family. The arrival of a baby adds a new dimension to their commoner life, solidifying their commitment to their new home and creating a new generation of the Komuro family in America, far from the pressures of the Chrysanthemum Throne.

4. The Pursuit of Anonymity and Privacy

In a city of eight million people, the Komuros have achieved what was impossible in Japan: near-total anonymity. New York City, with its fast-paced and individualistic culture, has proven to be the perfect sanctuary. They are rarely photographed and have managed to blend into the city's vast landscape, a clear indication of their successful transition to a private life.

This pursuit of privacy was a core reason for Mako's decision to forgo the traditional royal rites and the dowry, as she was suffering from complex post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to the intense media scrutiny. The quiet, ordinary life they now lead is a testament to the healing and stability that their move to New York has provided.

5. Their Financial Independence is Secured

The initial narrative surrounding the couple often focused on their financial status, particularly after Mako declined the substantial one-off payment of approximately $1.3 million offered to female royals who marry a commoner. This decision was a powerful statement of independence, but it placed the financial burden squarely on Kei Komuro.

With Kei Komuro now a licensed and practicing lawyer at a major firm and Mako Komuro working in a professional capacity at The Met, their financial stability is no longer a question. They are now fully self-sufficient, living a comfortable, middle-class life in New York, a powerful symbol of their ability to carve out a successful future together without relying on imperial funds or titles.

The Long-Term Impact on the Imperial Family

The saga of Mako and Kei Komuro continues to have a ripple effect on the Japanese Imperial Family. Mako's departure highlights the ongoing crisis of succession, as the Imperial House Law only permits males to ascend the throne. Her younger brother, Prince Hisahito, is currently the only male heir in his generation.

While Mako Komuro's new life in New York is a personal triumph, it serves as a powerful, real-world example of the sacrifices female members of the Imperial Family must make for love. The public’s fascination with her life as a commoner in America is a quiet challenge to the ancient traditions that govern the world's oldest monarchy, ensuring that the "Princess Mako New York" story remains a key point of discussion for years to come.