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Japan's Princess Mako gives up title to marry college sweetheart

Japan's Princess Mako waves from inside a car as she leaves her home for her marriage in Akasaka Estate (Kyodo/via Reuters)

Japan's Princess Mako, the emperor's niece, married her college sweetheart on Tuesday, giving up her royal title and saying she was determined to build a happy life with her "irreplaceable" husband after a tumultuous engagement.

In a news conference with new husband and commoner Kei Komuro marked by unusual candour for Japan's royal family, Mako said her marriage to Komuro had been inevitable despite the widespread opposition to it.

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