Japans Royal Family Unite At Garden Party

13-04-2005 23:00

The Japanese Royal family made a show clear of unity this week as they gathered together for a spring-time garden party.

The throng of royals, who were met by heir to the Chrysanthemum throne, Crown Prince Naruhito, included newly-engaged Princess Sayako but not the prince's troubled wife Princess Masako.

The princess, who withdrew from public life last year citing what the palace described as "an adjustment disorder", was notable by her absence from the celebrations at Tokyo's Akasaka Imperial Garden.

After a brief return to public life earlier this year, when she attended an engagement ceremony for her sister-in-law, the 40-year-old princess's recovery seems to have hit another set back.

Her husband recently claimed that after extensive treatment, Masako appeared to be "moving towards recovery", but accepted that her recover had "its ups and downs."

He was quoted as saying: "The doctors seem to think that Princess Masako has a tendency to attempt too much and try too hard and they would like her first and foremost to ease herself back into her official duties slowly."