Princess Aiko turns 16, enjoying school life and learning her role

Princess Aiko turns 16, enjoying school life and learning her role

I suspect she will marry early to a commoner to get out of the Imperial Prison and its inflexible littleny of keepers.

learning her role

striving to better fulfill her role as a member 

Oh that poor girl.

Many Happy Returns of the day to her. I hope she gets shipped abroad for her education and stays there. There's nothing for you here, my lovely.

Happy Birthday Princess Aiko. I am sure the young Princess with be an asset to the imperial family.

Poor kid, missing months of school because of fatigue? She sounds stressed!

Hey its the infamous pegboard wall. Also what an odd way to place the pillows. Happy birthday though.

I don't live with an Imperial Family, but my walls don't look like I live in a tool shed

I don't live with an Imperial Family, but my walls don't look like I live in a tool shed

Seen this room before in other photos and interviews with audio. It is a "set" and the pegboard wall is acoustic dampening. Not sure why they chose it for a photo op though.

Good to see her looking much healthier than in recent photos.

I don't mind if she becomes the next Empress.

Happy Birthday to her... I can't believe the IHA released this photo, they must be slipping. Aiko has her hands placed as required, but she and the sofa she sits upon are both off-center.

Why do they always take awkward family photos in that room that looks like a 70s recording studio?

Why do they always take awkward family photos in that room that looks like a 70s recording studio?

I guess it is in order to show the taxpayers that they don't squander their money on new trendy furniture.

Looks like she's put a bit of meat on her bones in the past few months. She was looking unhealthy a few months back when she was in the news, but in this picture she's looking much healthier.

16 years ago and 1 day ago I came to Japan on a one year work experience plan. The next day I went to Osaka Station where tons of older ladies were trampling on top of each other to grab a free newspaper announcing Aiko's birth. 16 years later, married, house and 3 kids in, I am still here. Happy Birthday Aiko!

i hope that when the prince becomes emperor, they can upgrade the peg board photo set to something more regal. but happy birthday aiko.

Dadude

Hopefully more good memories to come.