The first family head, Imperial Prince Akira had a political career as a kokuji goyogakari (a general official of the Imperial Household in charge of State affairs) at the end of Edo period, and after the Meiji Restoration, he took important posts, such as gijo (official post) and ministerial governor of foreign affairs.
初代晃親王は、国事御用掛として幕末の政界で活躍し、明治維新後は、議定・外国事務総督などの要職を占めた。