By: The Trek News Desk
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has stated that he would personally encourage Britain’s King Charles III to return the Koh-i-Noor diamond to India, sparking renewed discussion around the historic gemstone’s ownership.
Speaking at a press briefing on Wednesday (April 29, 2026), Mamdani made the remarks ahead of a scheduled meeting with the British monarch during his visit to New York City. He said that if given a separate opportunity to speak with the King, he would raise the issue of returning the diamond to India.
The comments come during King Charles and Queen Camilla’s state visit to the United States. As part of the visit, King Charles addressed a joint session of the U.S. Congress and attended a state dinner hosted at the White House by President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump.
During their stay in New York, the royal couple visited the 9/11 Memorial to pay tribute to the victims of the 2001 terror attacks and also toured community initiatives such as Harlem Grown, which supports urban farming and youth development. Mamdani met the King at the 9/11 memorial site.
The Koh-i-Noor diamond, weighing 105.6 carats, has a long and contested history. It was handed over in 1849 by Maharaja Duleep Singh to the British East India Company and later presented to Queen Victoria. The diamond was set into the crown of the Queen Mother in 1937.
Today, the Koh-i-Noor is part of the British Crown Jewels and is displayed at the Tower of London, set within the Crown of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. Historical accounts note that the diamond has passed through the hands of several rulers over centuries, including Mughal emperors, Persian shahs, Afghan rulers, and Sikh Maharajas.
India has repeatedly raised the issue of the diamond’s return and continues to pursue diplomatic efforts with the United Kingdom to seek what it calls a satisfactory resolution.
Source: News Agencies
