Mazaj News (Web Desk) New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has urged King Charles to consider returning the famous Koh-i-Noor diamond, which was taken by the British Empire from the Indian subcontinent in the 19th century.
Speaking ahead of a 9/11 memorial event during the monarch’s state visit on Wednesday, Mamdani was asked what he might say to the King if given the opportunity.
He responded that, if the chance arose, he would likely raise the issue of the Koh-i-Noor, suggesting it should be returned. He added that his primary focus at the event, however, would remain paying tribute to the victims of the September 11 attacks.
It remains uncertain whether the matter was actually discussed when Mamdani later met King Charles and Queen Camilla, where the two exchanged handshakes and briefly spoke in a cordial encounter.
The Koh-i-Noor, a 106-carat diamond currently kept in the Tower of London as part of the British Crown Jewels, is set in the Crown of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. The gem has a long and disputed history, having passed through Mughal rulers, Persian emperors, and Sikh monarchs before being handed to Queen Victoria in 1849 following the Treaty of Lahore.
Although its origin is widely believed to be in present-day India, its ownership remains heavily contested, with claims also linked to Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan. India has repeatedly demanded its return over the years, though without success.
The remarks drew criticism from a Reform UK representative, who described them as disrespectful to the monarch. The party’s home affairs spokesperson Zia Yusuf defended the diamond’s current location in the Tower of London, stating that it should remain there.