The future Hanako, Princess Hitachi was born on 19 July 1940 as the fourth daughter of Count Yoshitaka Tsugaru and Hisako Mōri.
Hanako was born at her family’s home in Tokyo. As a child, she attended the Gakushūin School all the way through high school. She graduated from the Gakushūin Women’s Junior College in 1961. She met her future husband, Prince Masahito, during her school years. Prince Masahito is the second son of Emperor Hirohito and Empress Nagako and, thus, an uncle of the current Emperor, Naruhito.
Jan Voets / Anefo – CC0
Their engagement was announced on 28 February 1964, followed by the engagement ceremony on 14 April 1964. They were married on 30 September 1964. Prince Masahito received permission to start a new branch of the family and the title of Prince Hitachi. After the wedding, Hanako became known as Princess Hitachi. She received a personal emblem – the Rhododendron subg. Hymenanthes.
The couple does not have any children together. Since 1976, they have lived in a palace on the grounds in the district of Shibuya in Tokyo.
The Prince and Princess Hitachi carry out royal duties for the Emperor, although this has become less over the years as they aged. She is still the president of several organisations and has translated several children’s books from English into Japanese.
Her husband is third and last in the Japanese line of succession.
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