WELCOME, PRINCESS
LEEDS UNIVERSITY has educated artists, politicians and public personalities. Now it is getting ready to welcome its first princess. Princess Kako, a granddaughter of Emperor Akihito, will study in the city from September as an exchange student.
IT HAS become the alma mater of countless artists, politicians and public personalities in its 113-year history.
But now the University of Leeds is set to welcome an international princess into its student family.
Princess Kako, a granddaughter of Emperor Akihito, will study in the Yorkshire city from this September as an exchange student, the Imperial Household Agency has said.
A University of Leeds spokesperson said: “We can confirm that Her Imperial Highness Princess Kako has applied to the University of Leeds and she will be studying with us for a short period from September this year. We look forward to her joining us.”
The 22-year-old princess is the second daughter of Prince
Akishino and Princess Kiko. Her father is second in line to the throne.
The Japan Times reported that the princess has not yet decided what she will study but has shown interest in psychology and art.
Princess Kako is thought to be the first prominent royal to study in Leeds, and no others are listed in an independent online alumni archive.
However, the university’s hallowed halls have attracted many international dignitaries past and present. Nambaryn Enkhbayar, former President of Mongolia, was an exchange student in 1986. Also gracing the halls at one time were Andrew Leung, President of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong, and Albert Shabangu, Deputy Prime Minister of Swaziland.
Japan’s monarchy is the oldest continuous hereditary monarchy in the world.
Her Imperial Highness will be studying with us for a short period. University of Leeds spokesperson