Emperor Komei wanted Asako to become an empress, but he met Shogunate's opposition that maintained that she should first have the court rank of Jusangu, so on June 13, 1853, Asako was promoted to Shosanmi (Senior Third Rank) and Jusangu.
孝明天皇は夙子の立后を望んだが、先ず准三宮に叙すべしという幕府の反対にあい、嘉永6年（1853年）5月7日(旧暦)、夙子は正三位・准三宮に上る。