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Mamdani says he would ask King Charles to return Koh-i-Noor
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said at a press conference hours before meeting King Charles that he would likely encourage the King to return the Koh-i-Noor diamond. The comments came during King Charles and Queen Camilla's four-day US visit and a 9/11 victims ceremony, amid India's long-standing claim to the gem.
Why It Matters
The Koh-i-Noor remains a highly disputed artifact tied to colonial-era histories. Mamdani's remarks add public pressure to the debate over the diamond's ownership between India and the UK during a high-profile royal visit.
Timeline
8 Events
Great Exhibition leads to re-cut of the Koh-i-Noor
1851
The traditional rose cut did not impress visitors at the Great Exhibition of 1851 in London, so the Koh-i-Noor was re-cut as an oval brilliant, gaining sparkle but losing about 40% of its weight.
Koh-i-Noor handed to the British under 1849 treaty
1849
The Koh-i-Noor was handed to the British in 1849 under the terms of a punitive treaty following the Anglo-Sikh war, signed by the 10-year-old Sikh ruler Duleep Singh after his mother was thrown in jail.
Mamdani meets King Charles at the 9/11 ceremony
April 30, 2026
Mamdani later met King Charles at the ceremony; it is unclear whether he raised the diamond, and photos show the mayor and the King shaking hands.
Mamdani press conference before meeting King Charles
April 30, 2026
Hours before meeting King Charles at a ceremony honoring victims of the 9/11 attacks in New York, Mamdani spoke at a press conference saying he would probably encourage the King to return the Koh-i-Noor diamond.
Start of the four-day US visit by Charles and Camilla
April 27, 2026
King Charles and Queen Camilla began a four-day visit to the United States on Monday, April 27, 2026.
David Cameron on returning Koh-i-Noor not sensible
2013
Former prime minister David Cameron said in 2013 that returning the gem was not sensible.
Crown worn at Queen Elizabeth II's coronation (1953)
1953
The crown containing the Koh-i-Noor was worn during Queen Elizabeth II's coronation in 1953.
Crown of the Queen Mother and 1937 coronation
1937
The 105-carat stone is set in the crown of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, who wore it for the coronation of King George VI in 1937.