Princess Mako of Japan's husband has reportedly failed his bar exam in the state of New York, The Telegraph reports.
Just days prior, Mako tied the knot with non-royal Kei Komuro, with the princess subsequently giving up her royal status in order to be with her true love.
The pair tied the knot at a Tokyo registry office on October 26. By doing so, she forfeited the traditional royal wedding, and turned down a $1.3 million payout from the government, which is customarily paid to those who forego their royal status when marrying a commoner.
Under the centuries-old Japanese law, royals who marry commoners automatically give up their royal status.
While they are entitled to a one-off payment, the government agreed that Princess Mako can reject the payment, amid criticism of her fiancé, Komuro. This cleared the way for the couple to finally tie the knot after years of delays.
According to The Japan Times, Komuro sat the New York State Bar Association earlier this year in order to become a licensed lawyer in the US.
But, as the publication details, Komuro has reportedly failed his exams.
The results were posted on the website of the New York State Board of Law examiners on October 29 — and the newlywed's name was not on the list of successful candidates. The board stated that only 5,791 out of 9,227 entrants passed the exam.
Per Japanese broadcaster, NHK, Kumuro spoke about his result with the head of his previous firm in Japan, Okuno Yoshihiko, who told the broadcaster that Komuro will retake the exam in February.
Princess Mako has reportedly lent her support to her husband.
As reported by The Times, the couple has been intending to move to the US, where Komuro works as a lawyer. Their move and break with Japanese royal custom has unsurprisingly drawn comparisons between themselves and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex - Meghan Markle and Prince Harry.
They have since been referred to as Japan's "Harry and Meghan" in the press.
Mako and Komuro announced their engagement back in 2017, however, they delayed their nuptials the following year, after saying that they needed more time to prepare for their future.
According to CNN, sources at the Imperial Household said that the wedding was delayed to 2020 because of a "lack of preparation".
However, per People, Japanese media reported that it had been postponed after reports of a financial dispute surfaced between Komuro's mother and her former fiancé, who claimed that he had paid for Komuro's education.
At the time, Princess Mako cited "immaturity" as the reason behind the issue.