Princess Hisako, the widow of Prince Takamado, resumed her public duties on Saturday and said she will do her best to follow in the footsteps of her late husband.
"I am not sure how far I can emulate the prince, but I will do my best performing my duties so that I can be of use to the nation," the princess said in an interview.
Three months after the 47-year-old prince suddenly died of heart failure while playing squash, Princess Hisako said the thought still crosses her mind that her husband could still show up at their home.