In the swirling maelstrom of bad news that is 2017, it’s always nice to read a story that makes your heart melt a little bit. Today, that story comes courtesy of Princess Mako of Japan, who has announced that she’s giving up her royal status in order to marry the man she loves.

The princess – the eldest grandchild of Japan’s Emperor Akihito – confirmed on Sunday that she is engaged to her partner of five years, Kei Komuro. She said that her grandfather had formally given their relationship his blessing, meaning that they can now begin the lengthy marriage process.

Speaking at a press conference, Princess Mako said that she and Komuro first met aged 20 at a campus meeting at Tokyo’s International Christian University, where they both studied.

“First I was attracted by his bright smiles like the sun,” said Princess Mako, in remarks reported by the BBC. Since they got to know one another, she added, she learned that he is “a sincere, strong-minded hard worker, and he has a big heart”.

This Japanese princess is giving up her royal title to marry a commoner