Princess Mako, a niece of Emperor Naruhito, and her boyfriend, Kei Komuro, will marry by the end of the year and may start a new life in the United States, but without holding the related ritual ceremonies in a rare decision, a government source said Wednesday.

Amid public unease about their marriage due to a money dispute between Komuro's mother and her former fiance, the princess will likely decline a lump-sum payment of up to about ¥150 million ($1.36 million) usually given to female imperial family members upon their departure from the household, the source said.

Under the current rules, female members of the imperial lose their royal status upon marrying a commoner. The marriage of the princess and Komuro, both 29, has been postponed for over two years due to a dispute over ¥4 million that the former fiance claims Komuro's mother owes him. The sum includes money spent on Komuro's educational expenses.