Royal family shares sorrow as 101-year-old Princess Yuriko dies, ending a significant chapter in Japan’s history.
King Charles and the royal family are mourning the loss of Princess Yuriko, the oldest member of Japan’s imperial family, who passed away at the age of 101. The Imperial Household Agency confirmed her death on Friday in a Tokyo hospital.
Princess Yuriko, born in 1923, married Prince Mikasa in 1941, who was the younger brother of Emperor Hirohito and uncle to the current Emperor Naruhito. Her passing comes just a few months after Emperor Naruhito’s historic visit to the UK, where King Charles and Queen Camilla warmly received the Japanese Emperor and Empress at Buckingham Palace. The visit aimed to strengthen ties across generations.
Throughout her life, Princess Yuriko played a pivotal role in the imperial family, raising five children and supporting her husband's scholarly research in ancient Near Eastern history. Known for her philanthropic efforts, she outlived her husband and all three of her sons.
Her death highlights Japan’s ongoing succession challenges, as Prince Hisahito, Emperor Naruhito’s nephew, remains the sole male heir. The imperial system currently does not allow female emperors, raising concerns about the future of the monarchy.
Despite enjoying good health well into her centenarian years, Yuriko suffered a stroke and pneumonia in March. She had been hospitalised multiple times since then, with her condition worsening in recent weeks. The Imperial Household Agency acknowledged her lifelong contributions and expressed gratitude for her decades of service.
