Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko met with their newborn grandson for the first time at Tokyo's Aiiku Hospital on Sunday, a day after they returned from their trip to Hokkaido, the Imperial Household Agency said.
The Imperial Couple gave warm words to Princess Kiko, their second son's wife, who gave birth to the little prince on Wednesday and remains hospitalized, it said. Empress Michiko gave the prince a pair of white baby shoes and flowers.
The baby boy is the first male heir born to the world's oldest hereditary monarchy in nearly 41 years and stands third in line to the throne after Crown Prince Naruhito and Prince Akishino, the baby's father.