Princess mako of akishino boyfriend nicknames

Princess Mako, the oldest grandchild of Japanese Emperor Akihito, has officially announced her engagement to her former university classmate.

Mako and fiancé Kei Komuro, both 25, confirmed the news at a press conference on Sunday after news of the planned engagement was first reported in May.

They happy couple said their relationship started after meeting at Tokyo's International Christian University five years ago.

"First I was attracted by his bright smiles like the sun," Mako said, referring to the first time they talked at an event for students ahead of a study-abroad scheme.

Related article: Japan's Princess Is Giving Up Her Royal Title To Marry A Commoner

Following a long-distance relationship while they both studied overseas for a year, Komuro, who now works at a law firm, proposed to the princess after dinner in December 2013.

Mako said she intro