New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani (D) said Wednesday that if he gets a chance to speak privately with King Charles III during the monarch's visit to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, he would press for the return of the Kohinoor diamond to India. The 105.6-carat gem, originally from India's alluvial mines, has been in British hands since the mid-1800s, according to the Smithsonian Magazine.
Mamdani, whose mother is Indian-born filmmaker Mira Nair, made the remarks at a press conference ahead of events at One World Trade Center. He noted that India, Pakistan, and the Taliban in Afghanistan all claim ownership of the diamond, which was taken during the colonial era. The mayor said he would “probably encourage” the king to return it “separately” from the formal gathering.
King Charles and Queen Camilla are in New York on Wednesday to mark the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, which killed nearly 3,000 people, including 67 British citizens. Mamdani will attend the event alongside New York Governor Kathy Hochul (D) and New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill (D). The visit includes a tribute at the 9/11 memorial and a speech to a joint meeting of Congress.
During his Tuesday address to Congress, Charles acknowledged the anniversary, saying, “This atrocity was a defining moment for America and your pain and shock were felt around the whole world.” He added, “We stood with you then. And we stand with you now in solemn remembrance of a day that shall never be forgotten.”
Buckingham Palace declined to comment on Mamdani's remarks. The Kohinoor diamond, once the largest known diamond, has been a point of contention between Britain and former colonies for decades. India has repeatedly called for its return, but the British government has maintained that it was acquired legally.
The call for repatriation comes amid broader debates about colonial-era artifacts held by British institutions. Mamdani's stance echoes similar demands from other Indian officials and activists. The mayor's background—his mother moved to the U.S. from India for college, and his father, Mahmood Mamdani, is a prominent academic—adds a personal dimension to the issue.
King Charles's visit also includes a state dinner at the White House, where the menu features dishes like garden velouté and beehive cake. The trip has sparked political commentary, with some Republicans mocking Democrats for cheering the king after past “No Kings” slogans, while the White House taunted critics with a “Two Kings” photo of Trump and Charles.
As the king pays respects at the 9/11 memorial, Mamdani's demand highlights the ongoing tensions over colonial legacy. Whether the issue will be raised during the visit remains unclear, but it underscores the complex history between the U.S., Britain, and former colonies.
