Japan's Princess Mako, the emperor's niece, married her commoner college sweetheart on Tuesday and left the royal family after a years-long engagement beset by scrutiny. Flora Bradley-Watson reports.

Tokyo — In what was called the most anticipated live TV appearance of the year, 30-year-old Princess Mako defended her controversial decision to marry a man some here branded unworthy of her status.

Japan's Princess Mako waves from inside a car as she leaves her home for her marriage in Akasaka Estate (Kyodo/via Reuters) Japan's Princess Mako, the emperor's niece, married her college sweetheart ...

Japanese Princess Mako has married a commoner and lost her royal status in a union that has split public opinion and was delayed more than three years by a financial dispute involving her new ...