Japan’s Princess Aiko follows well trodden imperial path to elite British school where ‘she can be herself for once’
The 16-year-old princess is to spend three weeks at Eton College, on the outskirts of London, in late July and early August
Princess Aiko, the daughter of Japan’s next emperor, is following in the footsteps of her parents and other imperial family members by heading to the UK to study.
The Imperial Household Agency is making preparations for the 16-year-old princess to spend three weeks at Eton College, on the outskirts of London, in late July and early August, according to national broadcaster NHK reported.
She will live in a dormitory and take English language classes and learn about British culture. NHK said the princess requested to travel to the UK to study, although her decision is likely to have been strongly influenced by the overseas experiences of her parents.
Crown Prince Naruhito, who will assume the Chrysanthemum Throne after his father abdicates on April 30 next year, completed a three-month intensive English course in the summer of 1983 before entering Oxford’s Merton College, where he studied for three years. His thesis – “A Study of Navigation and Traffic on the Upper Thames in the 18th Century” – required regular field trips and he reportedly enjoyed visits to no fewer than 21 historic pubs in the region, including the Trout Inn, north of Oxford.
In England, no one will know her, there will be no expectations and she can be herself for once
Japan’s future emperor joined the university’s Japan and drama societies, and was honorary president of the judo and karate clubs. He also played inter-college tennis and took golf lessons. During his time in Britain, he also climbed the three highest mountains in England, Scotland and Wales and socialised with the British royal family.