On 1 November 2013, Princess Tomohito of Mikasa visited Fukushima Prefecture and met with the people affected by the earthquake which occurred on 11 March 2011. The Princess hadn't performed any official duty since January 2006 because of a stroke and her asthma and it was her first official appearance in seven years. During her illness, she went to Fukushima City several times for treatment. Since then, she has returned to public life. In October 2014, the Princess attended her first banquet at the Imperial Palace since 2003 to welcome King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands. In January 2015, she attended the New Year's Celebrations, the New Year's Greeting, the New Year's Lectures and the Poetry Reading for the first time since 2006, 1996 and 1999 respectively. In May 2015, in her capacity as honorary vice-president of the Japanese Red Cross Society, she attended their annual convention. In April 2016, the Princess represented the Imperial Family by attending a formal dinner at the British ambassador's residence for the 90th birthday of Queen Elizabeth II.