No Kohinoor at King Charles's coronation: Queen consort Camilla will skip wearing India's diamond – here's why

 

Britain's Queen Camilla chooses crown without Kohinoor for coronation in May 

The controversial Kohinoor diamond from the colonial era has been left out of Camilla's choice of crown for her coronation with husband King Charles III at Westminster Abbey in May, Buckingham Palace announced on 14 February. 

According to the palace, Queen Mary's crown was taken out of the Tower of London's collection to be modified for the May 6 event and decorated with gems in honor of the late Queen Elizabeth II. 

The tiara that Camilla will wear has been the subject of speculation, with some saying she will likely choose the one worn by Charles' grandmother, the Queen Mother, and who holds the Kohinoor. 

Even though Queen Mary's Crown has a past for possessing the controversial diamond, it is believed that diplomatic sensitivities may be taken into account in the final decision.

While its exact value is unclear and it is said that the Kohinoor is priceless, it is estimated to be worth up to $400 million (approximately ₹3,314 crore). 

It is unknown at this time whether the front cross of Queen Mary's crown, now set with a removable rock crystal duplicate of the Kohinoor diamond, will remain following the changes made for the coronation. 

As one of the largest cut diamonds now gracing the crown of Queen Elizabeth II, Elizabeth the Queen Mother, Camilla's choice of Queen Mary Crown for her coronation can only be a duplicate of the original . 

Since the 18th century, Camilla is the first wife to reuse the crown at the time of coronation to select the crown. But it also goes against early rumors that she would assume the Queen Mother's crown for a May 6 ceremony at Westminster Abbey.

"The election of Her Majesty to the Crown of Queen Mary marks the first time in recent history that an existing crown will be used for the coronation of a consort, rather than commission a new one in the interests of stability and efficiency," Buckingham Palace said. , 

The Kohinoor, meaning "Mountain of Light" in Farsi, was set in a cross on Queen Mary's crown in 1911. Later, when the diamond was transferred to the Queen Mother's crown and King George VI's coronation, a duplicate was used instead. This was done in 1937. 

What is Kohinoor? 

The Kohinoor was first mentioned in writing in 1628 during the Mughal Empire. Along with the Timur Ruby, the diamond was placed in the Peacock Throne of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. When the Persian emperor Nadir Shah conquered Delhi in 1739 and looted tons of the city's treasures, including the Peacock Throne, he also took a large chunk of the diamond. 

The Kohinoor diamond changed hands among several Central Asian kings before falling into the hands of the Sikh ruler Ranjit Singh in 1813. After returning the diamond to India, Singh died in 1839. 

Nevertheless, in 1849, the British were finally able to obtain the desired stone. They imprisoned Singh's 10-year-old son Dalip Singh and his mother Rani Jindan. Duleep was forced by the British to sign a legal agreement and by signing it, he agreed to hand over the control of the Kohinoor to the British. Queen Victoria became the owner of the diamond.

The main controversy surrounding the diamond is that the British give their younger generation the impression that the Kohinoor was a gift from India and make no official mention of the violent history behind obtaining it. 

Since India's independence from British rule in 1947, the Center has repeatedly asked the British to give it back. After the death of Queen Elizabeth in September 2022, the demand for its return to India has intensified.