New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has stated that he would urge King Charles to return the Koh-i-Noor diamond to India if given a private audience. The controversial jewel, one of the largest cut diamonds in the world, was mined in India and has been a source of contention since British colonial rule.
Mamdani's Remarks at 9/11 Memorial Event
Speaking to reporters before a ceremony at the National 9/11 Memorial in Lower Manhattan on Wednesday, Mamdani said, "If I were to speak to the king separately from that, I’d probably encourage him to return the Koh-i-noor diamond." The mayor was among dignitaries who met King Charles and Queen Camilla during their four-day state visit to the United States, which included a wreath-laying ceremony to honor victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks.
Historical Context of the Koh-i-Noor
The Koh-i-Noor diamond, which dates back to at least the 17th century, was owned by Queen Victoria and is now part of the British Crown Jewels, displayed at the Tower of London. It is considered priceless. In 1849, during British colonial rule in India, the East India Company forced the 10-year-old son of the Indian royal family to cede ownership of the diamond. India has repeatedly demanded its return since gaining independence in 1947, with the most recent formal request made in 2016.
Mamdani Focuses on 9/11 Victims
When asked about his message to the royal couple at Ground Zero, Mamdani initially omitted them from his response, emphasizing the solemn purpose of the event. "I’ll be attending a wreath laying alongside other elected officials including Gov Hochul, Gov Sherrill, and the focus of that wreath-laying is to honour the more than 3,000 New Yorkers who were killed in the horrific terror attacks of September 11," he said. "And that is really what I’m looking to do at that event."
Royal Family Remains Silent
A spokesperson for the royal family declined to respond to Mamdani’s remarks, according to Politico. Buckingham Palace has been contacted for comment but has not yet responded. Separately, the Palace addressed comments by President Donald Trump, who claimed King Charles agreed with him on preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. A Palace spokesperson stated, "The King is naturally mindful of his government's long-standing and well-known position on the prevention of nuclear proliferation," reaffirming the monarch's constitutional neutrality on political matters.
