On Tuesday, June 17, 2014, Their Imperial Highnesses Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako of Japan along with Their Imperial Highnesses Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko of Japan, Her Imperial Highness Princess Mako of Japan, and Their Imperial Highnesses Prince Takahito and Princess Yuriko of Mikasa attended the Renso no Gi funeral service helf at the Toshimagaoka Imperial Cemetery in Tokyo for the late His Imperial Highness Prince Katsura. The late prince passed away on June 8, 2014, of heart failure at the age of 66.

According to the newspaper, Japan Times, Their Imperial Majesties Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan, “…in line with custom did not attend the funeral but sent messengers including the grand steward of the Imperial Household Agency.”

On Sunday, June 8, 2014, His Imperial Highness Prince Katsura, cousin of His Imperial Majesty Emperor Akihito of Japan, passed away at the age of 66.

The Imperial Household Agency, via a press release, noted that the “…prince had been rushed to University of Tokyo Hospital in a critical condition earlier Sunday, but died of acute heart failure…”

Upon hearing the news of the death of Prince Katsura members of the Imperial family gathered together at the late prince’s home in Tokyo to mourn his death.

With many thanks to Mr. L.F. Teixeira for the breaking news about the passing of Prince Katsura.

For more information about the life and death of the late Prince Katsura please click here.

On Monday, May 26, 2014, His Imperial Majesty Emperor Akihito of Japan held an audience at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo with the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Ms. Sheikh Hasina.

Meanwhile, Her Imperial Highness Princess Mako of Japan accompanied by the Prime Minister of Japan, Mr. Shinzo Abe, attended a “…ceremony to place the ashes of those who perished during World War II at the national cemetery for the war dead in Tokyo…” according to AFP News.

Photo courtesy of Yahoo News