SHE is fluent in several languages, is the daughter of a senior diplomat and attended one of the world’s most prestigious universities.

Yet the world had largely forgot about Japan’s Crown Princess Masako who withdrew from official public duties more than a decade ago.

Princess Masako, the wife of Crown Prince Naruhito and the heir to the Japanese imperial throne, has kept a low profile following the birth of her daughter Princess Aiko in 2001.

It emerged the now 50-year-old, began to suffer from a stress-related illness after joining the imperial family in 1993, according to the BBC.

There was the pressure of producing a male heir, and also following the constraints of conforming to royal life, something she was reportedly reluctant to take part in having rejected the Prince’s marriage proposal at least twice.

The couple eventually married in 1993, and following a miscarriage in 1999 Princess Aiko was born two years later.

However aside from being pictured with her young daughter, the reclusive royal, who attended Harvard University, has largely avoided the public eye and official functions — that is, until yesterday.

The Imperial Household Agency said Masako accompanied her husband at a banquet for visiting King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands.

Palace officials confirmed it was her first appearance at an imperial banquet since she attended one for the Mexican president in October 2003.

The royal couple’s visit to the Netherlands last year to attend the king’s inauguration was largely seen as a sign Princess Masako was on the road to recovery.

At yesterday’s event, the princess, in a silky white formal dress and a silver tiara, smiled as she talked with Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders, seated next to her, over French food at the banquet, part of which was shown on television news.

About 160 guests, including other royals and political leaders such as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, also attended.

Earlier the princess attended a welcoming ceremony for the king hosted by Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko.

Masako greeted Queen Maxima, with both women wearing hues of orange, the Dutch national colour.

Akihito, in his banquet-opening speech, touched on Japan’s aggression during World War II in the Dutch-occupied Indonesia, where many soldiers and civilians from the Netherlands were taken prisoners.

“It was most unfortunate that these long friendly relations between Japan and the Netherlands should have been marred because of World War II,” Akihito said.

“While never forgetting this past, we hope to give more attention than ever to the promotion of good will between our two countries.”

Willem-Alexander said the Dutch people’s ordeal should not be forgot, but understanding of each other’s pains is the foundation of reconciliation.