Japan's Crown Princess Masako attends first banquet in more than a decade after stress-related illness
Masako's appearance at banquet for Dutch royals is her first in more than a decade
Japan's Crown Princess Masako attended a banquet for visiting Dutch royals last night in her first such appearance since developing a stress-related illness.
The Imperial Household Agency said Masako accompanied her husband, Crown Prince Naruhito, to an imperial banquet for visiting King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands.
Palace officials said it was her first appearance at an imperial banquet since she attended one for the Mexican president in October 2003.
Masako, 50, fell ill soon after giving birth to the couple's daughter, Aiko, now 12, and largely withdrew from official duties.
In a sign of her recovery, the royals last year attended the king's inauguration in the Netherlands, where they have close ties.
The princess, in a silky white formal dress and a silver tiara, was full of smiles talking with Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders seated next to her, as they ate French food at the banquet. About 160 guests, including other royals and political leaders such as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe also attended.