Princess Sayako of Japan and Yoshiki Kuroda

Under Japanese law if an Imperial Princess wishes to marry a commoner then she must leave the Imperial Family. So when 36-year old Princess Sayako (also known as Princess Nori) married Yoshiki Kuroda on 15 November 2005 she had to give up her right to the throne, official membership of the Imperial Family and her royal allowance. Kuroda became the first commoner of non-aristocratic background to marry an Imperial Princess and despite her leaving the family Japan's Emperor and Empress were in attendance at the wedding. Despite having to give up her allowance Princess Nori is believed to have been given an extensive dowry including around $1 million and a large house.