Her Imperial Highness Princess Chichibu (Setsuko) of Japan (jp: chichibu no miya setsuko shinnō-hi), was born Matsudaira Setsuko, (b. 9 September 1909 in England - d. 25 August 1995 in Tokyo, Japan), the daughter of Matsudaira Yasuhito, sometime Japanese ambassador to the United States and later Great Britain (and still later, Imperial Household Minister), and his wife, the former Nabeshima Nobuko. Although technically born a commoner, she was a scion of the Matsudaira of Aizu, a cadet branch of the Tokugawa dynasty. Her paternal grandfather was, Matsudaira Katamori, the last daimyo of Aizu, who had been created a viscount in the new kazoku in 1884.
On 28 September 1928, her marriage to HIH Prince Chichibu was arranged, and she was created Princess Chichibu. Prince and Princess Chichibu had no children. But by all accounts their marriage was filled with love and happiness for each other. Both shared a great love for the United States and the England, and as anglophiles were greatly saddened by Japan´s entry into Second World War. After it was over, they traveled extensively to heal the bonds again.
She wrote her memoirs, which was published post-humously, called "The Silver Drum: A Japanese Imperial Memoir". Even a rose was named in her honour.
External links
Kunaicho | Her Imperial Highness Princess Chichibu