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Friday September 15, 2:48 PM3RD LD: Princess Kiko, baby leave hospital(Kyodo) _ (EDS: ADDING COMMENTS)Princess Kiko, the wife of Emperor Akihito's second son, and her newborn son Prince Hisahito were discharged Friday from the hospital where the princess gave birth last week, and returned to their residence in Tokyo's Akasaka district amid cheering crowds. Wrapped in a white cloth and cuddled by his mother, Prince Hisahito, the first heir born to the Japanese imperial family in nearly 41 years, appeared to be asleep as he left Aiiku Hospital in Tokyo's Minato Ward with his mother and father Prince Akishino around half past noon. The royal couple stood on the steps of the hospital, smiling at reporters and photographers, after bidding farewell to hospital staff in the lobby. Asked by reporters how his son was doing, Prince Akishino said, "He's still sleeping," and said in answer to a query about which parent the baby resembles, "I don't know yet." It is the first time the newborn prince has appeared before the public. The streets were filled with cheering crowds who waved flags as the royal motorcade slowly made the 4-kilometer-journey from the hospital to the couple's residence. Police said about 1,800 people turned out. In a statement issued by the Imperial Household Agency, 40-year-old Princess Kiko said she had felt "apprehensive" after being diagnosed in July with pregnancy complications, but said she was heartened by her medical staff's care. "I feel grateful that I was able to give birth by getting support from my friends, family and other people who wished me a safe childbirth," she said. Prince Akishino, 40, said in a statement, "I feel happy that both mother and child can leave the hospital," and thanked the medical staff for making his wife's hospital stay comfortable. Prince Hisahito, who was named Tuesday, has begun living with the rest of his family -- his parents and sisters, princesses Mako and Kako -- at their residence on the grounds of the Akasaka Estate. Crown Prince Naruhito, Prince Akishino's elder brother, and his family also live on the estate. Princess Kiko and her 9-day-old son are both in good health, according to the agency. The princess has changed his diapers herself most of the time, while the newborn prince has been nursing and crying loudly, the agency said. Masao Nakabayashi, the princess's chief physician and head of Aiiku Hospital, who performed the Caesarean on her, said in a separate statement that he hopes the princess will take it easy following her discharge from hospital, recommending that she refrain from her official duties for at least half a year. The newborn prince will occupy a room on the second floor of the residence and will be cared for by a full-time nurse and two part-time nurses, according to the agency. Princess Kiko was hospitalized on Aug. 16 to prepare for giving birth by Caesarean section due to pregnancy complications. The procedure, the first on a member of the imperial family, was carried out on Sept. 6. Under the male-only succession law, Prince Hisahito, the emperor's first grandson, is third in line to the imperial throne behind his uncle Crown Prince Naruhito, 46, who is the emperor's oldest son, and his father Prince Akishino. The prince's name will be inscribed in the imperial family registry by the end of next week. Prince Akishino's two daughters, Princess Mako and Princess Kako, are 14 and 11 years old, respectively. Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko, who were college sweethearts, married in June 1990. |
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