Crown Princess Masako of Japan attended her first banquet at the Imperial Palace for 11 years on Wednesday (29.10.14).
The 50-year-old royal has barely participated in royal duties since she was diagnosed with a stress related illness in 2004 and the last function she attended at the residence was in October 2003 to welcome Mexican President Vicente Fox and his wife.
But on Wednesday Masako and her husband Crown Prince Naruhito both attended the dinner held in honour of their friends King Willem-Alexander and his wife Queen Máxima of the Netherlands – whom she stayed with last year.
Naruhito’s parents Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko hosted the banquet, which was also attended by other members of the Japanese royal family.
Masako – who has 12-year-old daughter Princess Aiko with Naruhito – also participated in a welcoming ceremony for King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and Queen Maxima as they arrived at the Imperial Palace. This was the first welcome ceremony she had been involved with in five years.
In December 2013, on her 50th birthday, Masako released a statement thanking people for their support as she battled her illness and promised the Japanese public she would be "making efforts to accomplish my duties, whether business or personal, as much as possible".
Princess Masako attends first banquet for 11 years
