Japan's Princess Kako of Akishino paid tribute to her ancestors during a visit to the Musashi Imperial Graveyard on Monday, days after announcing she is taking on full-time royal duties.

Just three days after her graduation, Kako, the granddaughter of the Japanese Emperor, visited the Mausoleum of Emperor Showa and Empress Kojun in Hachioji, Tokyo, looking elegant in a dove grey dress and stylish trilby.



On Friday, the 24-year-old graduated from the International Christian University in Tokyo, where she completed a year abroad at the University of Leeds as part of her undergraduate degree.

However, according to The Japan Times, she has announced her intention to quit her studies and devote herself to performing official royal duties going forward.

A model princess! Japan's Princess Kako of Akishino wore a dove grey dress and stylish trilby for a visit to the Musashi Imperial Graveyard on Monday, three days after her graduation

Paying tribute: Kako, the granddaughter of the Japanese Emperor, was paying tribute to her ancestors at the Mausoleum of Emperor Showa and Empress Kojun in Hachioji on Monday

Kako joined some 500 fellow students at the ceremony, held in a campus chapel in the College of Liberal Arts on Friday.

In a written statement to the media, Kako said: 'It is not about what I want to do, but about addressing the official duties that have been asked of me. I do have dreams, but I would like to keep them to myself.'

Last week, Kako also addressed reports regarding the postponement of her sister Princess Mako's marriage to legal assistant Kei Komuro - saying she wished the couple every happiness.

When asked about her own marriage prospects, she reportedly replied: 'I wish to get married in time, at a point that isn’t too late.

Princess Kako (pictured at the Musashi Imperial Graveyard on Monday) is the second daughter of Prince Akishino, who is the second son of Emperor Akihito

Princess Kako on Tokyo on Monday. Over the weekend, the 24-year-old graduated from the International Christian University in Tokyo, during which she completed a year abroad at the University of Leeds

'My ideal partner would be someone with whom I can be relaxed.'

Princess Kako is the second daughter of Prince Akishino, who is the second son of Emperor Akihito.

Last summer, Kako appeared for a press call at Leeds University to mark the end of her year as an exchange student in the UK.

Who is Princess Kako of Japan? Princess Kako, 24, is a grandchild of Japan's Emperor Akihito and the younger daughter of Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko. Her father and younger brother Prince Hisahito, 12, will be first and second in line to the throne, respectively, after the Emperor, 85, abdicates on April 30th. Her uncle Crown Prince Naruhito will ascend the Chrysanthemum Throne throne on 1st May. Princess Kako's full title is Her Imperial Highness Princess Kako of Akishino, and she's declared her wish to support her uncle rather than continuing her education or taking up a career. When her uncle becomes Emperor, her father Prince Akishino will become Crown Prince, and her brother will become second in line to the throne even though he is younger. The royal family will not consider the idea of an Empress being the sole ruler. Advertisement

She studied performing arts and psychology during her nine months in the West Yorkshire city.

But she did not answer questions about her time in Leeds – leaving reporters to wonder whether she had squeezed in a trip to watch football at Elland Road, sampled cricket at the nearby Headingley ground or had even heard of the famous students’ bar crawl known as the Otley Run.

Instead the princess chatted with university vice-chancellor Sir Alan Langlands and Professor Alice O’Grady, Head of School of performance and cultural industries.

Princess Kako in Tokyo on Monday. According to The Japan Times, she recently announced her intention to quit her studies and devote herself to performing official royal duties

Royal duties: Kako's visit on Monday came after Over the weekend, the 24-year-old graduated from the International Christian University in Tokyo, during which she completed a year abroad at the University of Leeds

On Friday, Princess Kako graduated from the International Christian University in Tokyo, where she completed a year abroad at the University of Leeds as part of her undergraduate degree

Kako enrolled at the university in September 2017 as part of its study abroad programme, before returning to finish her undergraduate degree at the International Christian University in Tokyo.

The princess, who is said to have a keen interest in the arts, completed modules in the school of performance and cultural industries, including performance design and stage management, during her time at Leeds.

These modules were complimented by elements of social psychology.