Japanese Empress celebrates her 59th birthday

Happy birthday Masako! Japanese Empress cuts an elegant figure in a white suit as she marks her 59th year

Empress Masako of Japan posed with her husband at the Imperial Palace, Tokyo
The 59-year-old took photos while standing with Emperor Naruhito
The second Imperial celebration in a week Crown Prince Akishino’s 57th birthday

Empress Masako of Japan looked elegant in a cream suit as she posed with her husband Emperor Naruhito to mark her birthday.

The Empress celebrated turning 59 while posing for the photos in the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan, where the photos were taken. It is the second Japanese Imperial birthday in a week after Crown Prince Akishino celebrated turning 57 last week.

With her hair pinned back in a smooth updo, she cut an elegant figure in the elegant cream jacket and knee-length skirt combination.

Empress Masako posed in a clean white suit embellished with beads on the lapel as she posed for photos at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo to mark her 59th birthday

The lapels of her blazer were embellished with sparkling beads for a touch of added glamour.

The Empress accessorised her understated yet classy look with a double string of pearls around her neck and simple pearl earrings.

Meanwhile the Emperor looked sharp in a crisp, dark grey suit as he stood alongside his wife for the photos.

Empress Masako’s 59th celebration is the second birthday in the Japanese Imperial Family in the last week, with the Emperor Naruhito’s brother, Crown Prince Akishino, celebrating his 57th birthday last week.

Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako posed for a sweet set of photos to mark the Empress’s 59th birthday

The Emperor looked sharp in a crisp, dark grey suit as he posed for the photo with his wife, who accessorised her outfit with a double string of pearls and pearl earrings

He posed for a set of sweet set of photos with his wife, Crown Princess Kiko, and their two sons.

The Crown Prince – whose birth name is Fuhimito – looked smart in a black suit jacket and grey trousers as he posed for the relaxed photoshoot in the gardens of the state residence.

His wife, 56, looked chic in a white blouse, navy pleated skirt and grey marl blazer which she cinched in at the waist with a slim leather belt.

Meanwhile, Princess Kako, 27, was stylish in a tailored black-and-white checked coat dress which she wore over a black pleated dress.

The elegant royal added a touch of colour to her autumnal outfit with some red flower stud earrings and a swipe of lipstick.

The royal couple’s youngest son Prince Hisahito, 16, looked smart in a navy suit and matched his father with a burgundy striped tie.

Akishino is second in line to succeed his uncle, and will become first in line if his father ascends the throne, and will one day reign over Japan himself.