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Princess Mako’s new life in New York: Japan’s former royal is an unpaid intern at The Met, rents a one-bedroom flat near Central Park with husband Kei Komuro, and shops at Bed Bath & Beyond

Learn more about Princess Mako and Kei Komuro’s life as they settle into New York City. Photos: @empirestatebldg, @525w52nd/Instagram; Kyodo
Learn more about Princess Mako and Kei Komuro’s life as they settle into New York City. Photos: @empirestatebldg, @525w52nd/Instagram; Kyodo

  • The former princess is putting her art degree to use by interning at The Met while husband Kei works as a law clerk as he attempts to pass the New York bar exam
  • The newlyweds have been spotted shopping and running errands at shops like Bed Bath & Beyond and wearing casual outfits that make them look like true New Yorkers

Following a quiet wedding ceremony in Tokyo on October 26, 2021, newlyweds Mako and Kei Komuro seem to have finally settled down in their New York home with new jobs, apparently happily enjoying their rather more low key lives as commoners.
Japan’s Princess Mako and her newly married husband Kei Komuro are seen before they board a flight bound for New York to start their new life in November 2021. Photo: Reuters
Japan’s Princess Mako and her newly married husband Kei Komuro are seen before they board a flight bound for New York to start their new life in November 2021. Photo: Reuters

Before their big day, the two had faced much controversy due to Mako’s giving up her royal status for true love and the bad press faced by Kei. Still, their years-long romance endured and the two now look forward to better days.

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Reports have also revealed that the former royal declined to accept the US$1.2 million payment she was entitled to for leaving the imperial family. The couple seems to be determined to live as commoners do – which means earning their keep and living off of their salaries.

Below, we get a glimpse into what they’ve been up to so far.

Their new Manhattan home

A display flat at 525 West 52nd Street. Photo: @525w52nd/Instagram
A display flat at 525 West 52nd Street. Photo: @525w52nd/Instagram
The Komuros now live in a rented flat in Manhattan, New York. According to a Curbed report, they live at 525 West 52nd Street, or simply 525, located at the heart of Hell’s Kitchen. 525 was built in 2017 and is the “newest and priciest building on the block”, with rental fees reaching above US$5,000.
The former princess’ luxury flat is in one of the most expensive priciest building in Hell’s Kitchen, New York. Photo: @525w52nd/Instagram
The former princess’ luxury flat is in one of the most expensive priciest building in Hell’s Kitchen, New York. Photo: @525w52nd/Instagram

The luxury one-bedroom flat is said to be well-serviced with amenities, including a fitness centre, a yoga studio, library, screening room and landscape decks and terraces for barbecues and table tennis, among others, and is situated near Central Park and Lincoln Center.

Regular errand days and NYC walks

Kei Komura and Princess Mako out and about in New York City. Photo: @alltheroyalsoftheworld/Instagram
Kei Komura and Princess Mako out and about in New York City. Photo: @alltheroyalsoftheworld/Instagram