On the evening of May 1, 2013, the parents of Her Imperial Highness Crown Princess Masako of Japan arrived at the hotel where their daughter was staying in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Apparently, the crown princess and her parents had tea in the hotel and left around 10pm.
Earlier in the afternoon, His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan met with various Japanese officials living in the Netherlands.
Here is a nice news report regarding Their Imperial Highnesses Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako of Japan’s attendance at the historic inauguration of His Majesty King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands on April 30. Though the crown princess did not attend the gala reception on Monday it was a true pleasure to see her out and about with other royals at the Nieuwe Kerk in Amsterdam.
Their Imperial Highnesses Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako of Japan have finally arrived in the Netherlands! Yay! 🙂 As you know by now the imperial couple will attend His Royal Highness Prince Willem-Alexander of Oranje’s investiture on April 30, 2013.
On Sunday, April 28, 2013, Their Imperial Highnesses Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako of Japan departed from Haneda Airport in Tokyo to begin their long journey to the Netherlands.
The Imperial couple will be attending the upcoming inauguration of His Royal Highness Prince Willem-Alexander of Oranje on April 30, 2013, at the Nieuwe Kerk in Amsterdam. The visit will last six-days and depending on Crown Princess Masako’s health, she may attend other celebrations in the Netherlands according to the Imperial Household Agency.
Their Imperial Highnesses Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako of Japan will leave for the Netherlands on Sunday, April 27 to attend His Royal Highness Prince Willem-Alexander of Oranje’s inauguration/investiture as king on Tuesday, April 30, 2013.
The imperial couple will stay in the Netherlands for “…six-days…” according to various sources. However, the Imperial Household Agency states that Crown Princess Masako “…may skip other events [besides the inauguration/investiture] during their six-day visit ‘depending upon her condition’…”
His Imperial Majesty Emperor Akihito of Japan attended the 2013 Japan Prize this evening in Tokyo. Unfortunately, Empress Michiko was unable to attend due to chronic pain in her upper arm and left neck according to the Imperial Household Agency.
The Japan Prize is awarded annually to scientists and engineers from around the world who have made significant contributions to the advancement of science and technology, furthering the cause of peace and prosperity. The recipients of this year’s prize went to:
“Prof. C. Grant Willson of the University of Texas, Austin and Prof. Jean M. J. Fréchet of the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, for development of chemically amplified resist polymer materials for innovative semiconductor manufacturing process. Dr. John Frederick Grassle, Professor Emeritus of Rutgers, State University of New Jersey, for contribution to marine environmental conservation through research on ecology and biodiversity of deep-sea organisms.”
Click here to watch another video.
And, finally, on April 23, 2013, Their Imperial Majesties held an audience with Her Royal Highness Princess Astrid of Belgium at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. The princess was in Japan for a two-day visit on the occasion of World Malaria Day according to the Belgian royal court.
Japan Prize Press Conference
His Imperial Majesty Emperor Akihito of Japan attended a book party for the 3rd edition of Mr. Tetsuji Nakabō’s book, Fishes of Japan with Pictorial Keys to the Species, this afternoon at Tokai University in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo. The book was originally published in 1993 and again in 2000. This latest edition includes Emperor Akihito’s “…contribution to the book.”
In other news, the Imperial Household Agency announced that the emperor and empress will visit India sometime this Fall. The Japanese government is working out the details at this time.
The Royal Correspondent 