Japan's Crown Princess Kiko is unable to eat "normal meals" after contracting a mystery illness, it has been claimed.
According to the Japanese publication The Mainichi, the royal mother-of-two has been ill since last year.
The illness remains a mystery as Kiko tested negative for Covid-19.
Doctors are currently conducting tests in an effort to identify a cure.
Japan's Crown Princess Kiko unable to eat 'normal meals' after contracting mystery illness
Getty
These reports come as the princess looked happy in family photos that were released to celebrate the New Year.
Princess Kako, 29, and Prince Hisahito, 17, were pictured with Crown Prince Fumihito and his wife, Crown Princess Kiko, during a family photo session at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.
The former Japanese Emperor Akihito, 90, and former Empress Michiko, 89, were also included in the photos.
One picture showed Prince Fumihito and his family posing with an elaborate dragon ornament.
The Japanese Royal Family posing together to celebrate New Year's Eve
Reuters
Prince Fumihito and his son Hisahito looked handsome in matching black suits.
Meanwhile, Kiko looked chic in a belted dress and matching shoes.
Her daughter Princess Kako also looked glamorous in an orange dress.
The cheerful photos were released by Japan's Imperial Household Agency just before an earthquake occurred in Ishikawa, causing widespread evacuations.
Crown Princess Kiko reportedly contracted the mystery illness last year
Reuters
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Crown Prince Fumihito of Japan and Crown Princess Kiko attending King Charles's Coronation
PA
Videos that were posted on social media revealed how buildings in Suzu crumbled, and massive cracks started to emerge in the roads.
Following the earthquake, tsunami warnings were issued, and as aftershocks continued to shake the nation, the death toll was confirmed at 161.
A tsunami that struck the Tohoku region in 2011 claimed 20,000 lives.
This subsequently led to a nuclear incident at the Fukushima nuclear power plant.
