The Kohinoor diamond, which weighs about 105 carats, was mined hundreds of years ago in a mine in India during the Kagathian dynasty during the 12th and 14th centuries.
One victory symbolBefore coming to the UK in 1855, the Koh-i-Noor had many previous owners, including Mughal emperors, Shahs of Iran, Emirs and Maharajas of Afghanistan.
The gem, whose name means ‘Mountain of Light’, is now being claimed by Indians, who have spoken out in favor of returning the diamond to India after Elizabeth II’s death. This could be a problem for the British royal family and its diplomatic relations with India.
Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla will be crowned at Westminster Abbey on May 6, 2023, in a religious ceremony presided over by Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, head of the Anglican Church – and India is watching to see what happens.
Although Charles III will inherit Isabel II’s jewels, this will not be the crown he will receive at the coronation. According to established tradition, the British monarch wears what is known as St. Edward’s Crown, which is considered very important and sacred by the British – and is used only for this ceremony. However, Camilla could be crowned with this piece, albeit a simple act, but there is no official confirmation of this detail yet.
“Kamila’s coronation and wearing of the Kohinoor crown brings back painful memories of colonial times,” a spokesperson for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s party told British media. Country.
Although Buckingham Palace promised in a statement that the event would combine “tradition and modernity”, the announcement was enough for India to suggest that the use of Kohinoor jewelery at the ceremony could take some Indians back “to the days”. of the British Empire”.
However, once the controversies are over, it is thought that the royal family will change the ceremony to suit the times, considering the diplomatic conflicts.
Also, the legend associated with the diamond should serve as an indication that it should not be used on the crown of Charles III. According to a 14th-century Hindu text, the gem is a curse to the men who possess it, so “only a god or a woman can use it with impunity.”
It should be noted that this is not the first time that India has laid claim to this piece. In 2010, the then British Prime Minister David Cameron made some controversial statements in an interview on Indian television saying, “If we accept all the demands, the British Museum will be empty.”