Princess Mako’s new hubby reportedly flunks New York state bar exam
Japanese Princess Mako’s new husband, Kei Komuro,, reportedly flunked the New York state bar exam — after his bride gave up her royal status to marry him.
The recent Fordham Law School grad, who took the bar exam in July, did not appear on the latest pass list released by the exam’s organizer Friday, a source told the Japan Times.
Of the 9,227 people who sat for the grueling test, 5,791 passed — a 62.8 percent pass rate, according to the examination board.
Still, Komuro has already begun working as a law clerk at a legal firm in New York and he is expected to retake the exam, possibly in February, the Japan Times reported.
The newlywed’s professional setback comes just days after the couple quietly tied the knot Tuesday. Their wedding had been delayed several years following intense scrutiny.
After their nuptials, the 30-year-old newlyweds moved into a condo in Tokyo but are planning to permanently relocate to the Big Apple, according to Japanese media outlets.
Meanwhile, Okuno Yoshihiko, who heads a Japanese law firm where Komuro once worked, told NHK that Mako said she’ll continue supporting her hubby as he crams for the test once again.
Mako was forced to give up her royal title in order to marry her commoner college sweetheart.
The former princess is in the process of securing a visa so she can also work in the US, NHK reported.
The couple will be financially independent after Mako turned down a $1.23 million payment that she was entitled to upon leaving the royal family.
She is the first imperial family member since World War II to not take the payment, saying she chose not to do so because of the criticism surrounding her marriage.
Mako, the niece of Emperor Naruhito, developed post-traumatic stress disorder over the negative media attention surrounding her relationship, palace doctors have said.
