Mako's story went viral when news broke of her leaving behind her royal Japanese title to marry her "commoner" university sweetheart, Kei Komuro. She's now settled in New York with her husband, yet continues to be a hot topic as fans remain intrigued with the life of the former princess.
| Japan's former princess Mako Komuro, the elder daughter of Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko, and her husband Kei Komuro walk to their departure gate for their flight to New York at Tokyo's Haneda international airport, Nov., 2021. SCMP |
Her idolization harks back to the days of Princess Diana who, although her time was before this age of technology, holds a high internet status to this day.
So just how similar are they?
Street style
| Princess Diana, Princess of Wales, wearing a Virgin Atlantic sweatshirt, leaves Chelsea Harbour Club, London, in this 1995 file photo. SCMP |
Princess Diana was widely known as a trendsetter in fashion, particularly in streetwear. She was often seen sporting an oversized crew neck and biker shorts, which quickly became an iconic outfit of hers ― and the look is still mimicked to this day. This princess clearly knew how to keep up with and set fashion movements, and we can see the same in Princess Mako today.
| Kei Komuro and Princess Mako out and about in New York City / SCMP |
Although Princess Mako's fashion sense is slightly different to that of Diana's, she is also often seen wearing slightly oversized clothing ― whether it's her outerwear, maxi skirts or loose-fitting jeans, which are trending in the fashion world today.
Artists at heart
| Diana, Princess of Wales, with ballerinas from the English National Ballet after they gave a gala performance of Swan Lake at the Royal Albert Hall in London, in this 1997 file photo / SCMP |
Besides being recognized on the internet for their street style, both princesses are renowned creatives. Princess Diana had a passion for dancing and studied all forms of the art including jazz, ballet and tap dancing. According to Vogue, she even performed a duet once at the Royal Opera House.
| Princess Mako of Akishino receives her master of arts degree in art museum and gallery studies. SCMP |
Princess Mako, on the other hand, is more interested in art, and graduated with a degree in art and cultural heritage from Tokyo's International Christian University. She later pursued art history at the University of Edinburgh as well. As she currently lives in New York, she's working at the Metropolitan Museum of Art as an assistant curator for their Asian art collection.
Their camaraderie and communion
| Diana, Princess of Wales, with Sandra Tigica, 13, at the orthopaedic workshop in Neves Mendinha, near Launda, Angola, in this 1997 file photo / SCMP |
However, their strongest similarity that makes them both so beloved is their community spirit. Princess Diana was known to interact often with the public and participate in social welfare activities. According to multiple sources, she was president or patron to over 100 charities, particularly invested in assisting others during the Aids epidemic.
| Princess Mako has volunteered for multiple notable causes including the aftermath of the devastating Tohoku earthquake. SCMP |
Princess Mako shares the same graciousness, which we can see from her previously anonymous volunteer work in 2011 in the aftermath of the Tohoku earthquake, which she did so without revealing her identity during her time working there, reported Tokyo Weekender. And, of course, we can also see this mindset reflected in the story that made her go viral: giving up royalty for love.
| Diana Princess of Wales opens a community center in 1982 in Deptford, London, for her last official engagement before the birth of Prince William. SCMP |
Princess Diana has gone down in history as one of the most loved princesses of all time. Her current status as an online icon, for her fashion sense and good works, carries this legacy on.
| Japan's Princess Mako arrives before a meeting with Paraguay's President Horacio Cartes at the presidential residence in Asuncion, Paraguay, in this 2016 file photo. SCMP |
Despite giving up royalty, or perhaps even because of this, we can now see the same happening for Princess Mako. The internet is waiting to hear and see more of her with bated breath, showing that she won't be losing her icon standing any time soon. (SCMP)