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It’s a historic day for Prince Hisahito of Japan. The young prince, who officially came of age last year, had a royal first: attending a royal banquet to welcome a state guest. In this case, the banquet was being held for Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his wife, Liza Araneta Marcos, at the Imperial Palace as part of a state visit to Japan.
The Imperial Household Agency announced the prince’s participation over the weekend, making it clear that Hisahito was being allowed to attend because the event would not interrupt his studies at the University of Tsukuba, and that he would be attending classes before the banquet.
The household further clarified that Hisahito’s father, Crown Prince Akishino, and his two older sisters, former-Princess Mako (who now uses the name Mako Komuro after surendering her royal title in order to marry a commoner) and Princess Kako, all began attending state banquets during their college years.
The move is an important step toward the prince’s future, as he is currently second in the line of succession to the Chrysanthemum throne behind his father. The only other member of the line of succession is the 90-year-old Prince Hitachi, younger brother to Hisahito’s grandfather Emperor Emeritus Akihito. This is all due to Japan’s succession laws, which only allow the throne to pass through the male line. While Emperor Naruhito and his wife, Empress Masako, share a daughter, Princess Aiko, she, like Hisahito’s older sisters, is not eligible for the throne. In fact, when the prince reached the age of majority in 2025, he became first male royal in the family to reach adulthood in 40 years.
Lauren Hubbard is a freelance writer and Town & Country contributor who covers beauty, shopping, entertainment, travel, home decor, wine, and cocktails.