New York City Mayor, Zohran Mamdani, has urged the British monarchy to return the historic Koh-i-Noor diamond to the Indian subcontinent, reigniting long-standing debates over colonial-era acquisitions during the state visit of King Charles III.
Speaking ahead of a 9/11 memorial engagement where he was scheduled to meet King Charles and Queen Camilla, Mamdani was asked what he might discuss with the monarch.
He responded that, aside from paying tribute to victims of the attacks, he would raise the issue of the diamond’s ownership.
“If I was to speak to the king, separately from that, I would probably encourage him to return the Koh-i-Noor diamond,” the leftist mayor said, adding that his focus would remain on honouring those killed in the terror attacks.
It remains unclear whether the subject was actually raised during his brief interaction with the King at the memorial event. The two were seen shaking hands, exchanging a short conversation, and appearing cordial, with Charles reportedly laughing during the exchange.
The Koh-i-Noor, a 106-carat diamond currently housed in the Tower of London, is a prominent feature of the British Crown Jewels and is set in the crown worn by the late Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. Its ownership has been disputed for generations.
Historically, the stone is believed to have been mined in India before passing through the hands of various rulers, including Mughal emperors, Persian shahs, and Sikh rulers. It was ultimately ceded to Queen Victoria in 1849 following the annexation of Punjab under a peace agreement.
India has repeatedly called for its return, although the claim remains unresolved. Other nations, including Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan, have also laid historical claims to the gemstone, citing its complex and contested past.
The remarks drew sharp criticism from figures within the UK’s political right. A representative of the anti-immigration Reform UK described the comments as disrespectful to the monarch.
“This beautiful diamond is currently on display in the Tower of London,” said party home affairs spokesperson Zia Yusuf in a post on X. “That is where it will stay.”
