New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has stated that he would urge King Charles III to return the long-disputed Kohinoor diamond to India if granted a private conversation with the monarch. The mayor made the comments ahead of a ceremony in New York on Wednesday, where the King and Queen attended a memorial for the victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
Mayor's Statement on the Kohinoor
Speaking to reporters before the event, 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 diamond, one of the largest cut in the world, was mined in India and has been a point of contention between India and Britain since independence in 1947. The Indian government has repeatedly demanded its return, most recently in 2016.
Historical Context
The Kohinoor, once owned by Queen Victoria, is now part of the British Crown Jewels and displayed in the Tower of London. It was acquired by the British East India Company in 1849, when the 10-year-old son of the Indian royal family was forced to cede ownership under colonial rule. The diamond is considered priceless and has been the subject of diplomatic disputes for decades.
Mamdani, who attended the wreath-laying ceremony at the National 9/11 Memorial alongside other dignitaries including Governor Kathy Hochul and Governor Sherrill, initially omitted any mention of the royal couple when asked about his message to them. He emphasized that the focus of the event was to honor the more than 3,000 New Yorkers killed in the 9/11 attacks.
Royal Family's Response
A spokesperson for the royal family declined to comment on Mamdani's remarks, according to Politico. The Independent has sought comment from Buckingham Palace. Separately, the Palace responded to claims by former President Donald Trump that 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."
The King and Queen's visit to the United States continues as part of a four-day state visit.
