13 APRIL 2005

The Japanese royal family, including recently-engaged Princess Sayako, dressed in their springtime best as they gathered for a royal garden party this week. However, though Crown Prince Naruhito was on hand to greet throngs of guests at Akasaka Imperial Garden in Tokyo, his ailing wife, Crown Princess Masako, was a no-show.

Things had seemed to be looking up for the 41-year-old crown princess, who has been suffering from an "adjustment disorder" brought on by the demands of her role since 2003. But, after attending her first public event in some time – the March engagement ceremony of her sister-in-law Princess Sayako – the reclusive royal has once again taken refuge behind closed doors.

The crown prince recently revealed that his wife seemed to be "moving towards recovery", but acknowledged the process has had its "ups and downs". "The doctors seem to think that Princess Masako has a tendency to attempt too much and try too hard," he said, "and they would like her first and foremost to ease herself back into her official duties slowly."

Earlier this year, Masako had been expected to return to public duties for the first time since November, 2003, but cancelled at the last minute.