Japanese Princess Ayako has married a commoner in a ritual-filled ceremony at Tokyo's Meiji Shrine, a decision that will force her to renounce her royal status.

Key points: Princess Ayako, the daughter of Emperor Akihito's late cousin, will reportedly receive $1.3 million once married

Princess Ayako, the daughter of Emperor Akihito's late cousin, will reportedly receive $1.3 million once married Women from the imperial family who marry commoners must renounce their status

Women from the imperial family who marry commoners must renounce their status The Princess and her husband, Kei Moriya, met because their mothers were friends

The 28-year-old daughter of Emperor Akihito's late cousin will also reportedly receive a lump sum payment of 106.75 million yen ($1.3 million) from the state after marrying Kei Moriya, 32, an employee with major shipping firm Nippon Yusen.

The couple was shown on national news walking slowly before guests at the shrine on Monday morning (local time).

The wedding took place in one of the pagoda-like buildings in the shrine complex and included an exchange of rings and a sharing of a cup of sake, according to Japanese media.

Both rituals are relatively routine for Shinto-style weddings, including those of regular Japanese.

The Princess wore a Heian-era style hairdo and a traditional robe splashed with red and green patterns. ( Kyodo News via AP )

The Princess wore a Heian-era style hairdo, which is swept back into a ponytail, and a traditional robe splashed with red and green patterns, while Mr Moriya wore coattails.

Women who marry into the imperial family become members of the family, but those who marry commoners, like Princess Ayako, must leave.

Ayako to receive lump sum payment from the country

According to a report from The Japan Times, Princess Ayako was set to receive the $1.3 million lump sum payment from the state once she married Mr Moriya.

The payment, decided by a government council earlier this month, is provided so that Princess Ayako can maintain her high standard of living after surrendering her royal status.

The payment was approved at the meeting of the Imperial House Economy Council, which consists of eight members including Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

The couple said they hit it off immediately after they met. ( Kyodo News via AP )

Princess Ayako bid farewell to Emperor Akihito last week, appearing before him wearing a tiara and a pale Western-style gown.

Princess Mako, who is the eldest granddaughter of the emperor, is set to marry a commoner in 2020.

Emperor Akihito has said he will abdicate. His eldest son, Crown Prince Naruhito, will ascend to the Chrysanthemum Throne on May 1.

Princess Ayako and Mr Moriya announced their wedding plans earlier this year.

They met because their mothers were friends, and hit it off immediately, they said.

"It didn't feel as though we had met for the first time," Princess Ayako told reporters at their engagement.

Mr Moriya said he had been attracted to her gentle spirit.

"And I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her," he said.

Princess Ayako's father, Prince Takamado, who was active in supporting Japanese soccer, died in 2002.

AP/ABC