The announcement Tuesday that Princess Noriko is engaged to marry a commoner was greeted warmly around the nation, but it has also fueled concern that the Imperial family is losing another member and will have fewer royals to carry out public duties.

"Since my childhood I have been taught that I will lose the Imperial family status after my marriage," Princess Noriko told a news conference Tuesday.

She will marry the eldest son of the chief priest of Izumo-Taisha this fall, the Imperial Household Agency said.