Japan's Princess Ayako renounces royal title to marry for true love! See all the photos

On Oct. 29, Princess Ayako gave up her royal title and place in the line of succession to follow her heart and marry non-royal Kei Moriya. The 28-year-old princess and her 32-year-old beau were wed in a traditional religious Shinto ceremony, followed by a prayer offering ritual at Meiji Shrine in Tokyo. The bride is the daughter of the late Prince Takamodo, cousin to Emperor Akihito, and Princess Hisako. <p>Ayako stunned in two elaborate looks, worn with a moulder hairstyle "typical of the imperial aristocracy," the <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/japan-princess-ayako-marries-wedding-ceremony-royal-title-tokyo-kei-moriya-shinto-a8606456.html"><em>Independent</em></a> reported. "I'm filled with joy to get married and to have so may people visit us at the Meiji Shrine and congratulate us," she said at a news conference after her wedding ceremony. <p><strong>Click through to see all of her beautiful wedding photos...</strong> <p>Photo: &copy; Kyodo News via Getty Images
The beautiful bride was spotted leaving the Akasaka Estate on Oct. 29 ahead of her wedding ceremony with Kei Moriya at Meiji Shrine. She wore a stunning pale-yellow uchiki kimono embroidered with green leaves and red flowers and carried a fan made of Japanese cyprus. <p>Photo: &copy; Kyodo News via Getty Images
Kei Moriya, an employee for shipping company Nippon Yusen, left his home in Tokyo to head to his wedding ceremony. He wore a classic European morning coat with striped grey trousers, a grey vest and matching tie, carrying gloves and a black top hat. <p>Photo: &copy; Kyodo News via Getty Images
The happy couple met at the shrine, the venue of their wedding, looking happy as ever to spend the rest of their lives together. <p>Photo: &copy; Kyodo News via Getty Images
The couple walked past a line-up of well-wishers, there to support the soon-to-be married pair. <p>Photo: &copy; Kyodo News via Getty Images
The couple offered prayers at Meiji Shrine in Tokyo after their wedding ceremony, an act which is part of a traditional Shinto wedding. Shinto is the traditional religion of Japan that focuses on ritual practices which connect present-day Japan and its ancient past. Prior to the ceremony, Ayako changed into a traditional shinto robe called a kouchiki in a deep red hue with yellow piping and a white and green pattern. <p>Photo: &copy; Kyodo News via Getty Images
The elated newlyweds stopped for a beautiful photo together outside of the shrine after their prayer offerings. Kei said that his new wife looked "beautiful" and shared his hopes for their future. "I would like to support her firmly and, hand in hand, build a happy family with lots of laughter," <p>Photo: &copy; Kyodo News via Getty Images
In anticipation of her wedding day, Princess Ayako and Princess Hisako visited Shinto shrine Ise Jingu on Oct. 18. <p>Photo: &copy; Kyodo News via Getty Images
On July 2, Princess Ayako, the youngest daughter of Emperor Akihito's late cousin Prince Takamado, and Kei Moriya attended a press conference at the Imperial Household Agency in Tokyo following an official announcement of their engagement earlier in the day. <p>Their engagement was a controversial one, as it meant that Ayako would have to give up her title and position in the line of succession, as she chose to marry outside of royalty for the sake of love. How romantic! <p>Photo: &copy; Kyodo News via Getty Images
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