Emperor Naruhito expressed gratitude for the warm hospitality extended to him and Empress Masako by the Dutch and Belgian royal families.

He also spoke about being reunited with the princesses and princes of the Netherlands and Belgium who had interacted with his daughter Princess Aiko when the emperor's family stayed in the Netherlands in 2006 for rest and recuperation.

S/ Emperor Naruhito / Aiko was 4 years old at the time, but as 20 years have passed, we were truly delighted to see how much each of them has grown and matured. In a sense, along with the deepening of exchanges among our own generation, I feel we were also able to build a bridge to the next generation, and I am very grateful for that as well.

The emperor and empress spent about two weeks in the Netherlands and Belgium for their official visits and returned to Japan on June 26.

Meanwhile in Tokyo, Princess Aiko visited the National Art Center on the evening of June 25 to watch an exhibit marking the 100th anniversary of the birth of internationally renowned fashion designer Mori Hanae.

About 400 items were on display, including the chrysanthemum pajama dress featuring designs of chrysanthemums on a vivid pink background.

Officials said the princess commented on how glamorous they are.

There was also a display concerning the dress designed by Mori and worn by Empress Masako when she and Emperor Naruhito got married.

Aiko remarked that the dress was lovely.

The princess herself wore yellow coordinates which belong to her mother and were designed by Mori.

Mori is the first Asian to become a full member of the Paris Haute Couture association. She passed away in 2022.