Crown Prince and Princess of Japan de-stress in the Netherlands

The Crown Prince and Crown Princess of Japan are under increasing stress to produce a male heir to the Chrysanthemum Throne. Princess Kiko, sister in law to the Crown Prince and Princess, will soon give birth to a child; however the sex of the baby is still unknown. Crown Prince Naruhito and his wife Masako have taken their 4 year old daughter Aiko for a 2 week stay in the Netherlands at the invitation of Queen Beatrix.

Princess Masako has been suffering from a stress-related illness since the birth of her daughter four years ago, and has been largely shielded from the public eye while she recuperates.

"It is therapeutically useful to rest in a quiet environment, especially for the three of them to spend a peaceful time together," explained her medical team when the trip was announced in June.

Crown Princess Masako is currently 42 and has one daughter. According to Japanese succession law established in 1947, only a male can inherit the throne, but a male heir has not been born into the family since 1965. The Japanese Imperial family was debating changing this controversial law when Princess Kiko announced she was pregnant. Since then, talks have ceased, adding to the pressure for her to produce a male heir.

Princess Kiko was due to give birth by Caesarean section around September 6th, but was admitted to the hospital with complications this week. No doubt, the pressure to give birth to a boy is making her pregnancy a very stressful one. Kiko and her husband, Akishino, already have two daughters.

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