Our survey of last week’s glittering New Year jewels takes us to Tokyo today, where the imperial family of Japan sparkled in fabulous tiaras, pearls, and brooches to welcome 2025.
Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako led the imperial family into the throne room to receive New Year greetings at the Imperial Palace on New Year’s Day. They were joined this year by their daughter, Princess Aiko; their brother and sister-in-law, Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko; and their niece, Princess Kako. Usually there is a larger group of imperial princesses present, but Princess Tomohito of Mikasa and her daughters, Princess Akiko and Princess Yoko, and Princess Takamado and her daughter, Princess Tsuguko, did not attend because of the recent death of Princess Mikasa.
Empress Masako sparkled in the grandest tiara in the Japanese imperial vaults for the New Year reception. The Meiji Tiara, as it is usually called, is a classic, balanced diamond festoon tiara. It was made in the nineteenth century during the reign of Emperor Meiji, and it was first worn by his consort, Empress Haruko. The tiara is reserved for the use of the Empress of Japan. Empress Masako also wore diamond drop earrings, a diamond necklace, and a diamond and pearl brooch. She wore the same combination of jewels last year for the New Year reception.
The Empress’s sister-in-law, Crown Princess Kiko, also wore her usual jewels for this event: the diamond tiara and mirrored necklace traditionally worn by Japan’s crown princesses. She also added diamond earrings and a diamond brooch to her ensemble for the reception.
Princess Aiko, the daughter of the Emperor and Empress, wore Princess Sayako’s diamond tiara, necklace, and brooch with diamond drop earrings for the reception. A new parure has still not been made for Aiko’s use, so she continues to wear the set loaned to her by her aunt.
Her cousin, Princess Kako, wore the diamond tiara, necklace, and brooch made for her 20th birthday by Mikimoto, plus a pair of petite diamond drop earrings.
There was a larger group of family members present on January 2 as the Emperor and Empress greeted members of the public from the palace balcony in Tokyo. Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako, and Princess Aiko were joined by Crown Prince Fumihito, Crown Princess Kiko, and Princess Kako, as well as the Emperor Emeritus and Empress Emerita and Princess Hitachi.
In the center of the balcony, the Emperor waved to the crowd alongside the Empress and Princess Aiko.
Empress Masako wore a gorgeous ivory lace day dress with intricate embroidery for the balcony appearance. Her accessories included pearl drop earrings and a lovely diamond ribbon brooch with a pearl set in its center.
Beside her mother, Princess Aiko wore a mint green ensemble with beaded accents at the neck and the cuffs. She wore a pair of double pearl earrings and an interesting pearl necklace.
Blue was the color of choice for the Akishino princesses. Crown Princess Kiko wore a dress made of dark blue velvet with shimmering beads, paired with pearls and a diamond and pearl brooch. Princess Kako wore light blue with pearls.
Princess Hitachi (the Emperor’s aunt, on the left) wore a lovely blue lace dress with pearls. She stood beside her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko on the palace balcony. (Isn’t it so good to see them again? They’re now 91 and 90, and they’ve dealt with some serious health problems in recent years, but they seemed visibly happy to be back with the family for the balcony greeting.)
Elegant as ever, Empress Michiko wore ivory lace with a modern pattern, paired with diamond and pearl earrings, a pearl necklace, and a brooch shaped like a floral explosion of pearls.
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