The city of Leicester has, this week, played host to Japan’s answer to the Duchess of Cambridge who returned to the university to collect her postgraduate degree in a very low-key appearance - unlike anything we Brits are probably used to.
While Japan knows her as Her Imperial Highness Princess Mako of Akishino, during her time at the University of Leicester, however, the royal lived among students in a hall of residence - and even did a work placement at a local museum.
On Thursday, though, during the university's postgraduate graduation ceremony, the princess, 24, lined up on the stage with her peers and filed past dignitaries to shake hands with the chancellor of the university to then return to her seat. Her name had also been called out without any royal title.
Having been unveiled at press conference in September last year, the university revealed Princess Mako had been studying for an MA in art museum and gallery studies for an entire year - and the British press and majority of the student body had been none the wiser.
As well as working at the New Walk Museum, the university said the princess also undertook an intensive and varied course of study in the School of Museum Studies and, as part of her degree programme, completed a placement at Coventry Museums.
Speaking about her time in England, the modest young royal said her time at the University of Leicester had been “a wonderful experience.” She added: “I would like to express my sincere gratitude for having had the opportunity to pursue my studies in such a favourable environment. It has been a very fruitful year for me. I hope to apply what I have learned at postgraduate school in the future.”
President and vice-chancellor of the university, Professor Paul Boyle, described how Leicester’s School of Museum Studies is “world-renowned” and “among the highest ranked research departments in the UK.”
He said: “We are delighted that Princess Mako chose to study with us and trust she had a wonderful time in Leicester. We will be proud to count her among our alumni and hope that she will continue to engage with our university in the future.”
As a member of the Japanese Imperial Family, Princess Mako is the eldest daughter of Their Imperial Highnesses Prince and Princess of Akishino, and the first-born granddaughter of Their Majesties Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko.
