Biography princess masako japan wedding

ByBrent Furdyk

While considering the monarchy, most people immediately think of Britain's royals and their seemingly endless stream of palace intrigue.

Yet the House of Windsor are newcomers when compared to the ancient Imperial House of Japan. In fact, Japan's royal family is actually the oldest in the world, with the same family remaining in place for more than 2, years to constitute the longest continuous hereditary reign in the history of the world.

In , Japan's monarchy evolved from one of rulership to becoming entirely ceremonial; that said, the royal family — as is the case in Britain and other nations that have undergone similar shifts to their monarchies — remains powerfully symbolic for the people of Japan, representing the country's long history and time-honored traditions — even if they no longer rule the kingdom.

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In , Emperor Akihito, who's sat upon the Chrysanthem