AKIPRESS.COM - Japan's Princess Mako has formally announced her engagement to a commoner after receiving the emperor's approval, BBCreported.

This announcement kicks off a lengthy marriage process, and it also means the princess will lose her royal status.

Under a controversial Japanese law female imperial family members forfeit their status upon marriage to a commoner, whereas male members do not.

In a press conference on Sunday, she said she was first attracted to Kei Komuro's "smile like the sun".

"I was aware since my childhood that I'll leave a royal status once I marry," Princess Mako said. "While I worked to help the emperor and fulfil duties as a royal family member as much as I can, I've been cherishing my own life."

The formal announcement came from Japan's Imperial Household Agency on Sunday, after local media reported news of the planned engagement in May.