Learn more about royal individuals who have made headlines throughout history for breaking age-old traditions and royal protocol in order to marry the one they love, and for having marriages riddled in scandal and chaos
With the recent news of Princess Mako of Japan's marriage to her commoner university sweetheart at last, the arduous journey towards their marriage has caught the attention of the world once again with regard to the complicated workings of the royal household and their stance on marriage, especially unions between aristocracy and commoners.
Read more: Japan’s Princess Mako Will Be Giving Up Her Royal Title to Marry a Commoner
A royal marriage controversy is not necessarily anything new because throughout history, royal families all around the world, in particular those of Europe, have been plagued by scandals and controversy. In many of these situations, the scandals often revolved around the assertion to be with the one they love.
Keep scrolling to learn more about the most contentious royal marriages and scandals in our history.
1. Princess Mako and Kei Komuro
Just yesterday, Princess Mako of Japan finally married her college boyfriend, Kei Komuro, in a simple wedding registry in Tokyo. While the wedding itself was an unassuming affair, the process leading up to the princess's big day was a long and painful one.
By choosing to spend her life with Komuro—a commoner whom she met in college—the princess officially renounced her royal status, which was a decision that brought about intense public scrutiny, with tabloids reporting on a financial dispute between Kei's mother and her former fiancé.
Japan's law requires Mako to undergo official ceremonies to mark her departure from the royal family and she is granted a dowry of around $1.4 million. However, she opted out of both traditions, making her the first female imperial family member since World War II to decline the dowry when marrying a commoner.
She plans to move to New York, where Komuro has already found a job at a law firm, later this year.