But these hopes are regularly dashed when Masako reappears in public obviously still not pregnant.

CNN: AN HEIR OF CHANGE IN JAPAN

For all of the attention that Masako receives, she can never be more than the emperor's consort.

CNN: IN HER OWN RIGHT

Princess Masako was a beautiful diplomat who spoke several languages and travelled the world before her marriage to Japan's Crown Prince in 1993.

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Naruhito and Masako, who are well educated and realize what can be achieved through science, cannot be leaving things to chance, she reckons.

CNN: AN HEIR OF CHANGE IN JAPAN

Masako is often held up as a model for Japanese women, who are increasingly pursuing professional careers, marrying late, if at all, and postponing childbirth.

CNN: AN HEIR OF CHANGE IN JAPAN

Most of the postulation revolves around Masako, of course.

CNN: AN HEIR OF CHANGE IN JAPAN

Male climbers Yoshiaki Kato, 64, and Tamao Suzuki, 63, and female climbers Masako Suda, 50, and Michiko Suzuki, 56, of the Miyagi Workers Alpine Federation expedition are all presumed to have died in the avalanche, the park service said.

CNN: Avalanche recovery efforts suspended on Mount McKinley

Almost as soon as they returned from their honeymoon, royal watchers began looking for signs that Masako was bearing an heir (of course, the possibility remains that even if she became pregnant, her child might be a girl too).

CNN: AN HEIR OF CHANGE IN JAPAN