Will King Charles III Return the Koh-i-Noor Diamond? NYC Mayor Weighs In

Mayor Mamdani's Bold Suggestion to King Charles III

New York: During a recent press conference, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani expressed his intention to urge King Charles III to return the famed Koh-i-Noor diamond. Mamdani stated, “If I had the chance to speak with the King privately, I would likely encourage him to consider returning the Koh-i-Noor.” This remark came just before his scheduled meeting with the British monarch, who was in New York City as part of his State Visit to the United States.

On Tuesday, King Charles addressed a joint session of the US Congress, and he and Queen Camilla were honored at a state dinner hosted by President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump at the White House.

The royal couple also paid their respects at the 9/11 Memorial in New York City, commemorating the victims of the tragic attacks. Additionally, they visited Harlem Grown, an initiative focused on urban farming that supports local children and families in Upper Manhattan.

Mamdani met King Charles at the 9/11 Memorial. The Koh-i-Noor diamond, weighing 105.6 carats, was presented to Queen Victoria in 1849 by Maharajah Duleep Singh and was famously worn by the Queen Mother during her coronation in 1937.

India has shown a persistent interest in reclaiming the Koh-i-Noor from the UK, frequently raising the issue with the British government and seeking a satisfactory resolution.

Currently, the Koh-i-Noor diamond is on display at the Tower of London. According to the Historic Royal Palaces charity, this diamond has a rich history, having been owned by various figures, including Mughal Emperors, Iranian Shahs, Afghan Emirs, and Sikh Maharajas.

At just 34 years old, Mamdani, who is of Indian descent, is the son of acclaimed filmmaker Mira Nair and Columbia University professor Mahmood Mamdani. He holds the distinction of being the first Muslim, the first of Indian origin, the first born in Africa, and the youngest individual in over a century to serve as the Mayor of New York.