It’s certainly good news for Japan. I’m thrilled that Princess Kiko’s given birth to a baby boy. The only question in my mind is what’s going to happen to the plan to allow women to accede to the throne? My mum and I were discussing this yesterday, and we both feel that with a Harvard educated, foreign service associated, cosmopolitan mother like Crown Princess Masako, little Princess Aiko is bound to be a good Empress. Besides, the two women rulers – one Empress and one Regent Empress that Japan’s had in the past have both been very powerful and successful.
The succession issue isn’t the only thing I’m worried about. I think it’s awful that former Princess Sayako lost her title when she married a commoner. Nobody is saying give the commoner a title, but once born royal, always royal, so why take the title away from her?


I wish the Emperor and Empress would say something but there's little chance of that. The Imperial Household is very traditional. All the same, here's a brilliant picture of them.