NYC Mayor Suggests Returning Koh-i-Noor Diamond to India
New York City’s mayor has expressed hope that King Charles might consider returning the Koh-i-Noor diamond to India if they had a private conversation. This sentiment was shared by Zohran Mamdani, who was present at a recent ceremony honoring the victims of the September 11 attacks.
During their four-day visit to the U.S., the King and Queen visited the National 9/11 Memorial in Manhattan, where the King paid his respects by laying flowers.
Before the event, Mamdani told reporters, “If I had a chance to speak with the King privately, I would encourage him to return the Koh-i-Noor diamond.”
The Koh-i-Noor, recognized as one of the world’s largest diamonds, was mined in India and has origins dating back to the 17th century. The Indian government has requested its return several times since gaining independence in 1947. This diamond was once owned by Queen Victoria and is now part of the British Crown Jewels, displayed at the Tower of London, with no official price tag.
In 1849, during British colonial rule in India, the British East India Company compelled a young prince to surrender the diamond. India’s last official request for the jewel was made in 2016.
Mamdani made headlines earlier by selecting not to address the royal couple directly during an event at Ground Zero. Instead, he emphasized the importance of honoring the nearly 3,000 lives lost during the September 11 attacks alongside New York officials.
A representative from Buckingham Palace had no immediate comment on Mamdani’s remarks. The Independent has reached out for further clarification.
In a separate exchange, Buckingham Palace responded to comments made by former President Donald Trump, who claimed King Charles agreed with him on Iran’s nuclear policy. Traditionally, royal family members maintain a neutral stance in political matters. Trump stated, “Charles agrees with me even more than I do,” but the King did not comment on this issue during his public appearances.
A spokesperson for the Palace reiterated that the King is aware of his government’s established position on nuclear proliferation.
