When Crown Prince Naruhito proposed to a reluctant Masako Owada, he promised to protect her with all his might, a vow that may get tougher to keep if, as expected, his father Emperor Akihito abdicates, and the woman who has struggled to adjust to royal life becomes the empress.
The 82-year-old Emperor, who with Empress Michiko has won hearts at home by championing the disadvantaged and worked to heal the wounds of World War II abroad, hinted in a televised address on Monday that he could give up the Chrysanthemum Throne due to advancing age.
While the earnest Crown Prince, 56, is seen as ready for the succession and has taken on more official duties, the Crown Princess, 52, who turned down his first two proposals during a long courtship beginning nearly 30 years ago, has struggled as Crown Princess.