Tokyo- The wedding of Princess Mako, a granddaughter of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, and a former university classmate is likely take place next year, Imperial Household Agency sources said Wednesday.

The 25-year-old princess and her fiance-to-be, Kei Komuro, a law firm employee of the same age, started their romance about five years ago, eventually leading to Komuro's proposal, the sources also said.

According to the sources, the couple first met some five years ago at a gathering in Shibuya, Tokyo, to exchange opinions on studying abroad.

Since then, they have been out together in the Minato Mirai waterfront district in Yokohama, south of Tokyo, the town of Nagatoro in Saitama Prefecture, and Hayama in Kanagawa Prefecture, where the Imperial Family owns a villa, as well as other locations. Princess Mako's parents, Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko, have already given the nod to their relationship, the sources added.

Princess Mako is set to make an official visit to Bhutan from May 31 to June 8. The Imperial Household Agency is preparing to announce their engagement after she returns to Japan. (TOKYO, Jiji)